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2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan

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2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan
Part of Cross-Strait conflict
Date8 April 2023–10 April 2023
Location
Pacific Ocean surrounding Taiwan
Caused byTsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S.
Resulted in
Parties
Lead figures

The 2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan (simplified Chinese: 2023年环台军事演练; traditional Chinese: 2023年環台軍事演練) was a series of military exercises by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) encircling Taiwan. On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of "combat readiness patrols" and dispatched dozens of fighter jets and several warships toward Taiwan.[1][2][3] The exercises occurred in response to Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.[4]

On 4 March 2023, McCarthy announced he had planned a meeting with president Tsai, which was scheduled for early April.[5] In response, the PLA made multiple threats toward the Taiwanese government.[4] Tsai arrived in the U.S. on 4 April and met with lawmakers, including McCarthy.[6] In response, four days later the PLA dispatched dozens of aircraft and several warships toward the country's surrounding waters.[1][7]

Background

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2022 military exercises

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Main article: 2022 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan

On 2 August 2022, then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan and met with president Tsai Ing-wen.[8] In response, the People's Liberation Army pursued a series of military exercises encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills, air sorties, naval deployments, and ballistic missile launches. On 7 August, the Taiwanese government announced that it would be conducting live-fire artillery exercises in Pingtung County.[9] During drills held in Lienchiang County, flares fired by Taiwan's army started a fire.[10] On 10 August, the Eastern Theatre Command announced an end to the military exercises after it had "successfully completed various tasks and effectively tested the integrated combat capabilities of the troops".[11]

President Tsai's visit to the U.S.

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U.S. Speaker McCarthy with Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, April 2023

On 4 March 2023, US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy announced that he had planned a meeting with Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen in the U.S.[5] After his announcement, the PLA threatened to take serious action against Tsai if she met with McCarthy.[12]

Despite the threats, Tsai arrived in the U.S. on 5 April and met with McCarthy and other prominent U.S. lawmakers.[13] The meeting took place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Hours after Tsai's meeting, a congressional delegation consisting of Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, arrived in Taipei in their third overseas visit.[14] During their stop, McCaul stated: "we stand here today not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans in strong support of Taiwan".[15] He also compared CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping with Adolf Hitler, a remark that sparked controversy.[16] In response, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sanctioned McCaul.[17]

Military exercises

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On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of three days of "combat readiness patrols" (战备警巡) encircling Taiwan, naming the exercises "United Sharp Sword" or "Allied Sword" (联合利剑).[1][18][19][20] That same day, Chinese state media released a video which mentioned several of the assets that would be used in the exercises, including PLA army rockets, the Navy's destroyer escort, a missile boat, the Air Force's J-series, fighter bombers, electronic warfare aircraft, and aerial tankers.[21]

Xian H-6 bombers, one pictured here in 2022, were spotted flying over Taiwan during the exercises

Following the announcement, the military dispatched several warships and dozens of aircraft—including Sukhoi Su-30s and Xian H-6 bombers—toward Taiwan.[22] According to Taiwan's defense ministry, approximately 71 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.[23] The PLA later announced a live-fire exercise on waters near Pingtan Island.[24] Taiwan released a map of the flight paths of four Chinese J-15 fighter jets to the east of the island, which analysts stated were likely from the Shandong aircraft carrier which was participating in the military exercises.[25]

On 9 April 2023, Chinese fighter jets and war ships simulated strikes on Taiwan and simulated an encirclement of the island, prompting Taiwan to deploy its own warships, leading to a standoff between the two navies.[26]

In response, on 10 April the U.S. Navy sent one warship to the South China Sea.[27] That same day, China announced the end of the initial drills, but stated they would continue combat training around Taiwan.[28]

Reactions

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Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an audio post to Telegram that China had the "right to respond" against the "provocative actions" against it.[25]

The European Union (EU) expressed concern about the "intensification" of military activity around Taiwan, stating that the status quo should not be changed unilaterally, or by force, and urged restraint.[29]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The presidency is an executive head of state and the commander-in-chief of the Taiwanese Armed Forces.
  2. ^ Xi is also the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, serving as the supreme commander of the Chinese Armed Forces.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "China Sends Warships, Fighter Jets Near Taiwan Following President's Meeting With US Speaker McCarthy". WNBC. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  2. ^ McDonald, Joe (8 April 2023). "China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after leader's trip to U.S." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. ^ "China holds military drills around Taiwan after Tsai-McCarthy meeting". Axios. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b Kube, Courtney; Jett, Jennifer (6 April 2023). "U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai". NBC. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b Millis, Leah (6 March 2023). "House Speaker Kevin McCarthy plans to meet Taiwan's president in the U.S., sources say". CNBC.com. CNBC. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  6. ^ Foran, Clare (5 April 2023). "Taiwan's president warns 'democracy is under threat' in joint remarks with McCarthy". CNN. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  7. ^ "China begins three days of military drills in Taiwan Strait". Al Jazeera. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  8. ^ Mason, Jeff; Martina, Michael (August 1, 2022). "White House: U.S. will not be intimidated by China; Pelosi has right to visit Taiwan". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  9. ^ "Taiwan to hold live-fire artillery drills to test combat readiness - Focus Taiwan". focustaiwan.tw. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Fire breaks out on outer island during Taiwanese artillery drill | Taiwan News | 2022-08-05 23:37:00". 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  11. ^ Qin, Amy; Mozur, Paul (2 August 2022). "After Pelosi's arrival, China announced military drills in nearby waters". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  12. ^ Kube, Courtney; Jett, Jennifer (April 6, 2023). "U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai". NBC. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  13. ^ Foran, Clare (April 5, 2023). "Taiwan's president warns 'democracy is under threat' in joint remarks with McCarthy". CNN. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  14. ^ Kude, Courtney; Jett, Jennifer (6 April 2023). "U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai". NBC. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  15. ^ Dunleavy, Jerry (6 April 2023). "Congressional delegation slams Chinese 'intimidation' tactics after touching down in Taiwan". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  16. ^ "US Lawmaker Compares Xi to Hitler in Meeting With Taiwan’s VP" Bloomberg News. April 6, 2023. Accessed 15 April 2023.
  17. ^ "GOP rep. lauds CCP's sanctions on him as a 'badge of honor'". Fox News. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  18. ^ "News reference materials of the press conference for the 2nd week of April 2023 of the Ministry of National Defense (MND)". Taipei, Taiwan: Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China). 2023-04-12. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  19. ^ "國防部112年4月份第2週記者會新聞參考資料" [News reference materials of the press conference for the 2nd week of April 2023 of the Ministry of National Defense]. Taipei, Taiwan: Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China). 2023-04-12. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  20. ^ "China simulates 'strikes on targets in Taiwan' as drills continue". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  21. ^ "China starts 3 days of combat readiness patrol exercises around Taiwan". ABC News. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  22. ^ "China conducts second day of military drills around Taiwan". NBC. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  23. ^ Arslan, Josh; Lee, Yimou; Blanchard, Ben (8 April 2023). "Chinese planes cross Taiwan Strait median line". Reuters. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  24. ^ Buckley, Chris; Chang Chien, Amy; Wang, Vivian (8 April 2023). "China Holds Military Drills Around Taiwan in 'Stern Warning'". New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  25. ^ a b "China-Taiwan: Aircraft carrier 'seals off' island on third day of drills". BBC News. 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  26. ^ "China simulates strikes on Taiwan in military drills – DW – 04/09/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  27. ^ Wallace, Danielle (10 April 2023). "China's military says it's 'ready to fight' after aircraft carrier simulates 'sealing off' Taiwan". Fox News. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  28. ^ Lee, Yimou; Blanchard, Ben (11 April 2023). "China continues 'combat training' around Taiwan after drills end". Rueters. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  29. ^ "EU concerned by Chinese drills around Taiwan, calls for restraint". Reuters. 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
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