appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP Editorial

An escalation of cross-strait tensions is best avoided ahead of an American election. But that does not reckon with the timing of a defiant speech that angered Beijing last week by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te, followed by a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drill that mounted a combat-ready sea-and-air blockade around the island.
PLA readiness drills are not new. What set this exercise apart was first the sheer scale and reach of it.
Second, the mainland side made it clear the main purpose was to send a direct message and stern warning to independence advocates in Taiwan – not to the Taiwanese people. Third, it included the aircraft carrier Liaoning, a warfare platform that sailed to the strategically important eastern side of Taiwan as a symbolic deterrence to foreign intervention in any cross-strait conflict.
This sent another reminder that China’s navy has Pacific Ocean capability.

The Joint Sword-2024B exercises came four days after Lai’s “Double Tenth” speech in which he again said the two sides “are not subordinate to each other” and Beijing had no authority to represent the island. Double Tenth, referring to October 10, is celebrated in Taiwan to mark the anniversary of the start of the 1911 revolution that led to the founding of the Republic of China.
In May, the PLA conducted similar drills three days after Lai’s inauguration speech, which Beijing denounced as a “confession of independence”.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise it as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.
The manoeuvres to the north, south and east of the island and in the Taiwan Strait were aimed at testing the military’s joint operation abilities, according to PLA spokesman Senior Captain Li Xi, who said they were a message to independence forces. In armed conflict they could block Taiwan’s ports and, crucially, its energy imports.

Lai has a reputation as a “troublemaker” with Beijing after four years as vice-president to predecessor Tsai Ing-wen. But he did pledge in his inaugural speech to maintain the status quo in relations with Beijing.
To act otherwise would provoke hostility from the mainland, drive off investors and undermine the economy.
There may be room for debate whether the most recent drills were proportionate to his latest remarks, but they are an unambiguous reminder of Beijing’s red lines, and that a pragmatic approach to reduce tensions is in both sides’ interests.


Red carpet vs empty tarmac: Xi’s US welcome fuels debate over Takaichi’s no-show reception

Skydiving, whale watching and a burst of bookings as holidays extend for millions in China

Big picture or big deals? What the Xi-Trump summit holds for China and the US

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Taiwan

Drills that blockaded Taiwan a reminder of Beijing’s red lines

Attendees stand in front of Taiwan national flags on National Day. New President William Lai said in a speech that the People’s Republic of China ‘has no right to represent Taiwan’.  Photo: EPA-EFE

Taiwan’s new leader William Lai is known as a “troublemaker” to Beijing after serving as vice-president to his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen. But he did pledge in his inaugural speech to maintain the status quo in relations with Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE

The mainland side made it clear with its blockade drill that it intended to send a warning to independence advocates in Taiwan, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning in its exercises. Photo: Weibo

US urges restraint from mainland China and Taiwan ahead of island leader’s speech

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te waves during his inauguration ceremony in Taipei on May 20. Photo: EPA-EFE

A Taiwanese coastguard vessel on patrol near the maritime boundary between Taiwan and mainland China in May. Photo: EPA-EFE

Beijing hits out at Lai’s Double Tenth speech claim that mainland lacks authority over island

Taiwan first lady Wu Mei-ru, left, William Lai Ching-te, Han Guo-yu and Hsiao Bi-khim cheer during National Day celebrations in Taipei on Thursday. Photo: AP

Taiwanese leader William Lai has called for “healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges between the two sides” of the Taiwan Strait. Photo: Bloomberg

PLA wraps up day of joint force blockade drills around Taiwan

The Liaoning aircraft carrier was part of PLA drills around Taiwan on Monday. Photo: PLA Navy

Taiwan agrees to buy nearly 1,000 US killer drones as PLA stages drills around island

A member of the US Marine Corps launches a Switchblade 300 drone during a drill in California in September 2020. Photo:   Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group

Opinion

Island’s leader William Lai continues to test Beijing’s patience with inflammatory talk, a situation that serves no one’s interests


Island’s leader William Lai continues to test Beijing’s patience with inflammatory talk, a situation that serves no one’s interests.


Defence

US-China relations

United States

Diplomacy

Tsai Ing-wen

China's military weapons

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

Drills that blockaded Taiwan a reminder of Beijing’s red lines

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Island’s leader William Lai continues to test Beijing’s patience with inflammatory talk, a situation that serves no one’s interests

Island’s leader William Lai continues to test Beijing’s patience with inflammatory talk, a situation that serves no one’s interests