China’s Eastern Theater Command announced at 5 a.m. on Monday the start of its Joint Sword-2024B drills around Taiwan. According to Beijing, the exercise is meant to deter “Taiwan independence” forces. In Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te held a security meeting early in the morning to have a full understanding of the situation. Let’s hear from the National Security Council.

Joseph Wu
National Security Council secretary-general
China started its military exercises right after making the announcement at 5 a.m. This approach is inconsistent with the relevant international laws. The president convened a high-level national security meeting to address China’s military threat. The relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies have been instructed on the relevant response measures. There is no reason for alarm.

Chiu Chui-cheng
Mainland Affairs Council minister
It completely disregarded the goodwill our government extended across the strait. The cause of unrest in the Taiwan Strait is the CCP’s militaristic hegemony, and its extreme oppression of Taiwan.

Karen Kuo
Presidential Office spokesperson
In his National Day address, President Lai underscored that Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait remains unchanged. China should understand the goodwill expressed by the president on National Day and address its own domestic economic and livelihood issues, rather than persisting in using military force to coerce neighboring countries.

The Ministry of National Defense dispatched relevant troops to their stand-by positions to respond if necessary. Video footage shows Hsiung Feng III missile systems on the coast of Hualien, ready to fire toward the sky. Meanwhile, the Navy’s Ming Chuan frigate set sail to monitor a designated site. Over in Kaohsiung, members of the public spotted several Cobra helicopters flying at low altitudes over the city, equipped with live munitions. The PLA drills ended at 6 p.m., having lasted just 13 hours.

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