The Eastern Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched the "United Sword-2024B" military exercise in and around the Taiwan Strait area and Taiwan Island on October 14. The exercise involved land, sea and air units, including missile corps, and the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation operating east of Taiwan. This manoeuvre is in response to the efforts of separatist forces seeking 'Taiwan independence' and is intended to protect China's national sovereignty.
Taiwanese leader Lai Qingde's October 10 speech, which ramped up confrontational rhetoric and promoted the "New Two-State Theory," was seen as a deliberate escalation of tensions in the region. The Chinese mainland has taken countermeasures that are considered legitimate and legally justified.
The CLOA exercise targets separatist forces, not the Taiwanese population. China has repeatedly stressed that the Taiwan issue is a key concern and that it will not cease to fight against efforts for 'Taiwan independence'.
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