Taiwan

2024 - 10 - 15

When War Games Meet National Celebrations: A Chaotic Tale!

China Military Drills - International Relations - Pentagon Responses - Taiwan and Indonesia Relations - Taiwan Defense - Taiwan Self-Sufficiency

China flexes its military muscles around Taiwan while the island throws a party – what's the connection?

In a spectacular display of military might, China has recently launched large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan, with Beijing confirming these exercises engage all branches of its armed forces. Dubbed the "Joint Sword-2024B", these military maneuvers are designed to simulate a full-scale assault on the self-governing island, sending shockwaves through the region. Onlookers are left to ponder whether this show of strength is merely a flex or a blatant warning to Taiwan's government, especially amid escalating tensions.

As part of these drills, China deployed a staggering 125 warplanes, the highest number ever recorded in a single day, reinforcing the belief that these exercises are not just for decoration but rather a serious message to Taiwan’s independence movements. Taiwan’s government has swiftly condemned these actions, labeling the military exercises an “unreasonable provocation”. Amid this tension, the island's officials are balancing defense strategies while also engaging in diplomacies like strengthening ties with Indonesia as it celebrated its 113th anniversary. Talk about juggling responsibilities!

But that’s not all! The situation gets even more intriguing as two Taiwanese nationals recently received suspended sentences for illegally recruiting personnel to China, a stark reminder of the complex web of relationships and loyalties that exist between the two regions. This highlights the risks involved in the growing intersection of politics and personal decisions amidst heightened hostility.

Meanwhile, as planes swarmed and warships maneuvered, Taiwan continued its social festivities, reminding us that amidst serious confrontations, life does carry on. It’s a classic case of celebrating while dodging proverbial bullets, where the dichotomy of fun and fear meets on something like a game board. As the drills intensify, the people of Taiwan remain steadfast, embracing their own identity while navigating these turbulent waters.

To top it all off, did you know that Taiwan has its own distinct Olympic history? Following political disputes, Taiwanese athletes now compete under the banner of "Chinese Taipei" instead of the Republic of China. And as for military drills, the astonishing scale of this recent exercise might just eclipse the size of Australia’s annual military training exercises. It’s a vivid reminder of how geopolitical tensions shape national identities and celebrate history, all while war machines whirl in the backdrop!

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

China launches military drills surrounding Taiwan (BBC News)

Beijing says the exercise involved all parts of the military and simulates a full-scale attack on its neighbour.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

China deploys record number of warplanes in drills around Taiwan (Financial Times)

China has sent its largest ever daily deployment of warplanes into airspace close to Taiwan as part of a wider military exercise, confirming fears that ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

Taiwan condemns Chinese military drills around island as ... (CNN)

Taiwan has condemned the latest round of Chinese military drills around the self-governing island as an “unreasonable provocation” after Beijing deployed ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NPR"

China holds large military exercises surrounding Taiwan to warn ... (NPR)

China deployed ships and warplanes in large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan Monday, simulating the sealing off of ports in a move that ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

China launches war games around Taiwan, drawing sharp criticism ... (ABC News)

China's military commences a new round of war games near Taiwan, aimed at signalling a stern warning to the island's pro-independence movements.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Kyodo News Plus"

China conducts large-scale drills around Taiwan after Lai speech (Kyodo News Plus)

The exercise in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan Island involved the Chinese army, navy, air and rocket forces, with the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Diplomat"

China Conducts More Military Drills Around Taiwan (The Diplomat)

On October 14, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) began military drills surrounding Taiwan. Dubbed “Joint Sword-2024B,” the drills continue the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Two Taiwanese get suspended sentences in Chinese recruiting ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

Two Taiwanese have been given suspended sentences by the Hsinchu District Court after being found guilty of illegally recruiting personnel for a Chinese ...

Improving Taiwan-Indonesia ties (台北時報)

The Republic of China on Thursday last week celebrated its 113th anniversary with events held domestically and internationally, including in Indonesia.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Taiwan Insight"

Taiwan in the Olympics: From ROC to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan Insight)

Not surprisingly, the Chinese National Olympic Committee and Taiwanese athletes boycotted the Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics, while the All-China Athletic ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "9News"

China deploys record 125 warplanes in large-scale military drill in ... (9News)

China has employed a record 125 aircraft, as well as its Liaoning aircraft carrier and ships, in large-scal...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Pentagon slams 'destabilizing' Chinese war games around Taiwan (Reuters)

The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command said the "Joint Sword-2024B" drills took place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC"

Chinese military drills alarm Taiwan - ABC listen (ABC)

Australia and the US have urged restraint on Beijing's behalf as China carries out military drills around Taiwan.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "TCTMD"

In Taiwan, Convenience Stores an Ideal Spot for Public AEDs (TCTMD)

“Survival following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest depends on prompt defibrillation. Despite the efforts made to install AEDs in crowded areas, their usage ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "USNI News"

China Targets Taiwan in Major Military Exercise, Pentagon ... (USNI News)

The exercise, code-named “Joint Sword – 2024B,” involved the People's Liberation Army Navy, PLA Air Force, PLA Rocket Force and China Coast Guard. The drill was ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "台北時報"

Spanish man told to leave Taiwan in 10 days (台北時報)

The Spaniard has been indicted by Italian prosecutors for allegedly leading a 30 million euros (US$32.74 million) car rental scam and setting up a fraudulent ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Democracy 'non-negotiable' in Taiwan: Ex-President Tsai - Focus ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

With China aiming to annex Taiwan, Taiwanese have united to defend democratic values and demonstrated to the world that democracy is "non-negotiable" to ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Taiwan headline news - Focus Taiwan (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) The lead stories in major Taiwan dailies on Tuesday are as follows: @United Daily News: Incursions by Chinese warplanes hit record ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Taiwan details record surge in Chinese warplanes involved in war ... (Voice of America)

Taiwan's defense ministry on Tuesday detailed the surge in Chinese warplane activity around the island during war games the previous day, saying it had ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Strategist"

China's jurisdictional traps: the risks of silent transits in the Taiwan ... (The Strategist)

When non-Chinese navies send warships on undeclared passages through the Taiwan Strait, they may be achieving exactly the opposite of what they want.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CNN"

A record number of Chinese warplanes flew close to Taiwan during ... (CNN)

China flew a record number of fighter jets and other warplanes around Taiwan during its large-scale military drills on Monday, Taiwan's Defense Ministry ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Taiwan details record surge in planes in China's war games, flags ... (Reuters)

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it had detected a record number of 153 Chinese military aircraft participating in China's war games around the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Let's compare how the world treats the Taliban vs. Taiwan (The Washington Post)

As democratic Taiwan grows more isolated, the brutal Taliban regime in Afghanistan gains acceptance.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

EU, U.K., Japan voice concern over Chinese military drills near ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

The European Union (EU), United Kingdom (U.K.), and Japan expressed concerns over military drills conducted by China in waters around Taiwan on Monday, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Taiwan reports surrounded by 153 Chinese military aircraft during ... (Aljazeera.com)

Exercises raise regional tension warns Taipei; US slams war games as it launches drills with Philippines.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'Hi my sweetheart': China's love-heart propaganda labelled creepy ... (The Guardian)

Image dispersed during Monday's military drills likened to sexual harassment or abusive partner.

Taiwan's food self-sufficiency rate drops to 30.3% - Focus Taiwan (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

The 30.3 percent figure refers to how much of people's total caloric intake in Taiwan derived from foods produced domestically. The 2023 figure represented a ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Government quiet on reports of Peru blocking Taiwan's APEC envoy ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

Taiwanese officials have declined to comment on media reports that Peru, host of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Taiwan reports record 153 Chinese aircraft near island during ... (FRANCE 24)

A record 153 Chinese military aircraft were detected near Taiwan as China held large-scale drills encircling the island on Monday, Taiwan's defence ministry ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

Chinese Coast Guard takes on new role in encircling Taiwan ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

The China Coast Guard (CCG) took on a novel and important role during the "Joint Sword-2024B" military drills, being deployed for the first time on Monday ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Focus Taiwan News Channel"

U.S. seasoning rejected at Taiwan's border after carcinogen ... (Focus Taiwan News Channel)

Two types of seasoning imported from the United State have been seized at the border after they were found to contain a banned carcinogen, the Taiwan Food ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Breaking Defense"

China's military maneuvers around Taiwan meant to send signal ... (Breaking Defense)

China "likely sent higher numbers of military aircraft and ships to ensure that Lai gets the message that Beijing strongly opposes what they view as his ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Breaking Defense"

China's military maneuvers around Taiwan meant to send signal ... (Breaking Defense)

China "likely sent higher numbers of military aircraft and ships to ensure that Lai gets the message that Beijing strongly opposes what they view as his ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Takeaways from China's latest war games around Taiwan (Reuters)

China said its day of war games around democratically governed Taiwan on Monday was a warning against "separatist acts" and threatened more could be in the ...

Explore the last week