The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command (ETC) began the Joint-Sword-2024A exercise around Taiwan. The announcement was issued on the ETC’s Wiebo and Wechat pages and various Chinese state media news outlets.
ETC Spokesperson, People’s Liberation Army Navy Captain Li Xi, said that the first part of the exercise will occur from May 23rd to May 24th. Li said various air force, army, navy, rocket force, and other service units will participate in the exercise around Taiwan.
The focus of the exercise will be on “joint sea and air combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision attacks on key attacks.”
The exercise will likely consist of two parts, with the second being carried out within the next few months. The Joint Sword exercise is China’s response to the inauguration of William Lai as President of Taiwan on May 20th.
