| 2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part ofCross-Strait conflict | |||
| Date | 8 April 2023–10 April 2023 | ||
| Location | Pacific Ocean surroundingTaiwan | ||
| Caused by | Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S. | ||
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The2023 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) were a series ofmilitary exercises by thePeople's Liberation Army (PLA) of thePeople's Republic of China (PRC) encirclingTaiwan. 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 presidentTsai Ing-wen's meeting with US Speaker of the HouseKevin 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]
On 2 August 2022, then-US Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan andmet with president Tsai Ing-wen.[8] In response, thePeople's Liberation Army pursued a series of military exercises encircling Taiwan, includinglive-fire drills, air sorties, naval deployments, andballistic missile launches. On 7 August, the Taiwanese government announced that it would be conducting live-fire artillery exercises inPingtung County.[9] During drills held inLienchiang 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]
On 4 March 2023, US Speaker of the HouseKevin 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 theRonald Reagan Presidential Library.
Hours after Tsai's meeting, a congressional delegation consisting of RepresentativeMichael McCaul, chair of theForeign Affairs Committee, arrived inTaipei 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 comparedCCP General SecretaryXi Jinping withAdolf Hitler, a remark that sparked controversy.[16] In response, theChinese Communist Party (CCP) sanctioned McCaul.[17]
On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of three days of "combat readiness patrols" (战备警巡) encirclingTaiwan, naming the exercises "Joint Sword" (联合利剑).[18][19] 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.[20]
Following the announcement, the military dispatched several warships and dozens of aircraft—includingSukhoi Su-30s andXian H-6 bombers—toward Taiwan.[21] According toTaiwan's defense ministry, approximately 71 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of theTaiwan Strait.[22] The PLA later announced a live-fire exercise on waters nearPingtan Island.[23] 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 theShandong aircraft carrier which was participating in the military exercises.[24]
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.[25]
In response, on 10 April theU.S. Navy sent one warship to theSouth China Sea.[26] That same day,China announced the end of the initial drills, but stated they would continue combat training aroundTaiwan.[27]
Russian government spokesmanDmitry Peskov stated in an audio post to Telegram that China had the "right to respond" against the "provocative actions" against it.[24]
TheEuropean 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.[28]
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