On Thursday, May 23, China commenced a two-day military operation around Taiwan, signaling a robust response to the recent inauguration speech of Taiwan’s new President, Lai Ching-te. In his speech, Lai emphasized the island’s commitment to preserving its sovereignty and democratic values. The military exercises, named “Glaive uni 2024A,” are seen as the first direct military response from the People’s Republic of China to President Lai’s statements.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin characterized the drills as a severe warning aimed at Taiwan’s “separatists,” suggesting dire consequences for their actions, with hints of more such demonstrations in the future as indicated by the operation’s name. According to the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, the drills encompass five strategic zones around Taiwan, which is officially part of China but functions as a de facto independent entity. Additional areas near smaller Taiwanese-controlled islands close to mainland China were also marked, possibly indicating a separate approach to these territories.
Although these maneuvers are the largest seen in the past year, they have not reached the scale of those conducted after Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022. There was no indication of live munitions being used in these latest drills.
Experts view these exercises as a precursor to potentially more extensive military actions. Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at The Australian National University’s Taiwan Studies Program, suggested that the drills are likely a strategic move by Beijing to influence international perceptions following President Lai’s assertive inauguration speech.
Moreover, the new Taiwanese president made a distinct separation between “China” and “the Republic of China,” while advocating for a continued US presence in the Indo-Pacific. Analyst Amanda Hsiao from the Crisis Group noted that President Lai’s overt declaration of Taiwan as a separate state from China marks a strategic shift from his predecessor’s more moderate stance, a move that has historically met with forceful responses from Beijing.
