2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan
2023 Chinese combat patrols of Taiwan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan (simplified Chinese: 2023年环台军事演练; traditional Chinese: 2023年環台軍事演練) were a series of military exercises by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) encircling Taiwan. On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of "combat readiness patrols" and dispatched dozens of fighter jets and several warships toward Taiwan.[1][2][3] The exercises occurred in response to Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.[4]
| 2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Cross-Strait conflict | |||
| Date | 8 April 2023–10 April 2023 | ||
| Location | Pacific Ocean surrounding Taiwan | ||
| Caused by | Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S. | ||
| Resulted in |
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| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
On 4 March 2023, McCarthy announced he had planned a meeting with president Tsai, which was scheduled for early April.[5] In response, the PLA made multiple threats toward the Taiwanese government.[4] Tsai arrived in the U.S. on 4 April and met with lawmakers, including McCarthy.[6] In response, four days later the PLA dispatched dozens of aircraft and several warships toward the country's surrounding waters.[1][7]
Background
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Perspective
2022 military exercises
On 2 August 2022, then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan and met with president Tsai Ing-wen.[8] In response, the People's Liberation Army pursued a series of military exercises encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills, air sorties, naval deployments, and ballistic missile launches. On 7 August, the Taiwanese government announced that it would be conducting live-fire artillery exercises in Pingtung County.[9] During drills held in Lienchiang County, flares fired by Taiwan's army started a fire.[10] On 10 August, the Eastern Theatre Command announced an end to the military exercises after it had "successfully completed various tasks and effectively tested the integrated combat capabilities of the troops".[11]
President Tsai's visit to the U.S.
On 4 March 2023, US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy announced that he had planned a meeting with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen in the U.S.[5] After his announcement, the PLA threatened to take serious action against Tsai if she met with McCarthy.[12]
Despite the threats, Tsai arrived in the U.S. on 5 April and met with McCarthy and other prominent U.S. lawmakers.[13] The meeting took place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Hours after Tsai's meeting, a congressional delegation consisting of Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, arrived in Taipei in their third overseas visit.[14] During their stop, McCaul stated: "we stand here today not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans in strong support of Taiwan".[15] He also compared CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping with Adolf Hitler, a remark that sparked controversy.[16] In response, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sanctioned McCaul.[17]
Military exercises
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Perspective
On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of three days of "combat readiness patrols" (战备警巡) encircling Taiwan, naming the exercises "Joint Sword" (联合利剑).[18][19] That same day, Chinese state media released a video which mentioned several of the assets that would be used in the exercises, including PLA army rockets, the Navy's destroyer escort, a missile boat, the Air Force's J-series, fighter bombers, electronic warfare aircraft, and aerial tankers.[20]
Following the announcement, the military dispatched several warships and dozens of aircraft—including Sukhoi Su-30s and Xian H-6 bombers—toward Taiwan.[21] According to Taiwan's defense ministry, approximately 71 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.[22] The PLA later announced a live-fire exercise on waters near Pingtan Island.[23] Taiwan released a map of the flight paths of four Chinese J-15 fighter jets to the east of the island, which analysts stated were likely from the Shandong aircraft carrier which was participating in the military exercises.[24]
On 9 April 2023, Chinese fighter jets and war ships simulated strikes on Taiwan and simulated an encirclement of the island, prompting Taiwan to deploy its own warships, leading to a standoff between the two navies.[25]
In response, on 10 April the U.S. Navy sent one warship to the South China Sea.[26] That same day, China announced the end of the initial drills, but stated they would continue combat training around Taiwan.[27]
Reactions
Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an audio post to Telegram that China had the "right to respond" against the "provocative actions" against it.[24]
The European Union (EU) expressed concern about the "intensification" of military activity around Taiwan, stating that the status quo should not be changed unilaterally, or by force, and urged restraint.[28]
See also
Notes
- The presidency is an executive head of state and the commander-in-chief of the Taiwanese Armed Forces.
- Xi is also the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, serving as the supreme commander of the Chinese Armed Forces.
References
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