PLA launches blockade drills around Taiwan, days after speech by island’s leader

The People’s Liberation Army launched blockade drills around Taiwan on October 14, 2024, days after mainland China hit out at a defiant speech by the island’s leader William Lai Ching-te. Beijing said the Joint Sword-2024B drills were taking place in areas to the north, south and east of the self-ruled island and in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's defence ministry said it had responded by dispatching “appropriate forces”. Mainland officials offered no date for when the PLA drills would conclude.