China launches military drills around Taiwan, sparks outcry

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Chinese People's Liberation Army announced on Thursday (May 23) that it had launched the "Joint Sword-2024A" (聯合利劍-2024A) military exercises around Taiwan, sparking condemnation across the political spectrum. The Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨, DPP) accused the Chinese Communist Party of colluding with both the Kuomintang (國民黨, KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (民眾黨, TPP) to sabotage the legislative process.

Cross-Strait Tensions Escalate

KMT Legislator Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷) expressed the nation's unease over the situation and urged the government to avoid actions that could lead to accidental conflicts. He emphasized the need for President Lai's administration to inform the public about the current intelligence situation and response measures, as well as to establish trustworthy communication channels.

TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) criticized the Chinese military exercises as provocative acts that do not contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He called for restraint from the Chinese authorities.

Political Reactions and Implications
DPP caucus secretary-general Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) stated that China's military drills around Taiwan are not only a threat to the island but also a challenge to global democracy. She highlighted that the closest point of the military exercises to Taiwan's main island was Hualien, pointing out the irony of KMT's recent visit to China, which did not bring back any gestures of friendship but rather hostility towards Hualien.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Shen Po-yang (沈伯洋) compared China's timing of the military exercises to when foreign dignitaries leave Taiwan, similar to the situation during former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit. Shen argued that China's strategy towards Taiwan involves intimidation and exhaustion through military drills and collusion with the KMT and TPP to propose laws undermining the parliament.

The recent military exercises by China near Taiwan have heightened tensions and drawn sharp criticism from Taiwanese politicians, who call for a measured response to avoid escalating the situation further.

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