China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched its largest military drills to date around Taiwan following the United States’ new weapons package for the country.
“With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services engage in joint assaults to test their joint operations capabilities,” said PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Shi Yi. A press statement explained that the drills serve as a “stern warning” against “Taiwan Independence separatist forces and external interference, and a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.”
The drills include “sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence,” the statement described.
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry condemned the exercises, writing on social media, “We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations and oppose the PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace. Rapid Response Exercises are underway, with forces on high alert to defend the Republic of China and protect our people.”
The State Department recently approved an $11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan, which includes 82 HIMARS launchers, 420 long-range ATACMS missiles, self-propelled howitzers, advanced unmanned systems, military software, and anti-armor weapons. The package follows President Trump signing a law earlier in December that protects U.S.-Taiwan relations.
The law, called the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, “permanently extends existing requirements for the Department of State to review and report on its guidance to Executive Branch agencies and offices on relations with Taiwan,” the White House said in a statement.
According to the legislation, the Department of State is to review its “guidance that governs relations with Taiwan, including the periodic memorandum entitled, ‘Guidelines on Relations with Taiwan’ and related documents, and reissue such guidance to executive branch departments and agencies” every five years.
