TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday (Oct. 14) criticized China's military drills around Taiwan as "irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing." The statement by spokesperson Patrick Ryder was issued after China's Eastern Theater Command launched Joint "Sword-2024B" military exercises involving the army, navy, air, and rocket forces operating in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas of Taiwan
U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller also condemned China's military provocations in response to a routine annual speech by Taiwan as "unwarranted and risks escalation." Meanwhile, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) held a press conference later that day to provide details on the exercises.
Lieutenant General Hsieh Jih-sheng (謝日升) of the MND reported that the drills included nine exercise zones. Six zones surrounded Taiwan's main island, while three were near Matsu, Dongyin, and Wuqiu. Hsieh disclosed that Taiwanese forces detected 125 Chinese aircraft from early morning until late afternoon, with 90 entering Taiwan's response zone, a record number for a single day.
In addition to aerial activity, Hsieh noted the presence of 17 combat ships, 17 coast guard and public service vessels, and the aircraft carrier Liaoning southeast of Taiwan. The exercises followed Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) National Day address on Oct. 10.