The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) has begun the second day of its military exercises around Taiwan. Today, the PLA is rehearsing “seizure of power” operations, which, according to China, is “punishment for Taiwan's separatist actions after the inauguration of the island's president”.
Military exercises involving units of the Air Force, missile forces , the Navy, Army and Coast Guard, announced suddenly on the morning of May 23. They are taking place in five target areas around Taiwan, as well as near Taiwan's coastal islands near the Chinese mainland.
On May 24, China's Ministry of Defense said that today's exercises will test the ability of its armed forces to “seize power” and take control of the main areas of the island.
The day before, as part of the exercises, the PLA carried out simulated missile strikes on military targets in Taiwan. Currently, the PRC's military exercises are smaller in scale than similar exercises conducted in 2022 and 2023. So far, China has not launched military strikes towards Taiwan.
The Ministry of Defense of the People's Republic of China also reported that 16 maritime police vessels and 49 military aircraft were sent towards Taiwan, of which 35 crossed the middle line, the de facto border between China and Taiwan.
In response, Taiwan raised jets, put its forces on alert and moved anti-ship missile systems to coastal areas.
Reacting to the exercise, Taiwan's new president Lai Tsinghe said that he is confident that the military will protect the island.