Joint Sword-2024A military drill both legitimate and justifiable

Editor's note: Zhang Hua, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a researcher at the Taiwan Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) held the Joint Sword-2024A military exercise surrounding the Taiwan Straits on May 23-24 as a "punishment against separatist acts by 'Taiwan independence' forces" and "a stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces." It was a legitimate act to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and aligned with the expectations of compatriots across the Straits and international friends who support China's reunification efforts.

According to media reports, the PLA had already normalized its surveillance patrols in the Straits, reflecting the Chinese mainland's goodwill. The large-scale Joint Sword-2024A exercise involving land, sea, and air forces was staged in response to the provocative rhetoric on May 20 by Lai Ching-te, the new leader of China's Taiwan region, in which he brazenly promoted the idea that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland "are not subordinate to each other," and hyped up the concept of "relying on the U.S. to resist China" and "seeking independence through military means."

Therefore, the PLA's actions were entirely reactive, similar to the military drills conducted in August 2022 after Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, made her controversial visit to Taiwan.

The Joint Sword-2024A military exercise was by no means, as claimed by Lai's camp and the U.S., aimed at disrupting the status quo. On the contrary, the purpose was to prevent the current situation in the Taiwan Straits from being disrupted.

The drill was reasonable and moderate. After Lai's erroneous remarks, compatriots on both sides of the Straits and the international community reacted strongly and indignantly. They reaffirmed the principle that both sides across the Taiwan Straits belong to the same Chinese nation and condemned Lai's "two states" theory. In addition, they urged the mainland to take strong measures to punish Lai's attempts to "seek independence." The PLA drill was held in response to the strong call by patriotic and unifying forces.

Compared with the military exercise in August 2022, this one had many new features. First, in addition to blockading the Taiwan island and getting closer to the island "than ever before," it also conducted encirclement exercises around the Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin islands.

Besides the traditional navy and air military forces, China's maritime law enforcement forces also participated. The name of the drill itself implies continuous pressure on the Taiwan region. If the Taiwan authorities continue to provoke, then Joint Sword-2024B military drills may be staged.

The Joint Sword-2024A military exercise lasted only two days and did not use live ammunition like the missiles it used when Pelosi left the island. In other words, although the scale and scope of this military exercise was larger, the time span and intensity of the strike did not significantly exceed the previous one's. Therefore, the Chinese mainland's use of military means to punish "Taiwan independence" was moderate, reasonable, and did not escalate indefinitely.

Moreover, the military drills were lawful and just. Documents with the effect of international law such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the United Nations Resolution 2758, as well as domestic laws such as the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the National Security Law, all recognize Taiwan's legal status as an inalienable part of China.

The Cairo Declaration, issued by China, the United States and the UK in 1943, stated the trio's goal that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China. The Potsdam Proclamation, also signed by the troika in 1945, and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union, reiterated that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. The United Nations Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, undertook to restore all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations.

Like the armed forces of any country, the PLA has the right and obligation to counter and punish "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. Its demonstration of defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity and firmly opposing "Taiwan independence" separatism through military exercises is based on solid legal grounds.

In addition, the principle of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity established by the United Nations Charter is the cornerstone of modern international law and international relations. No country will allow acts that split it. Countering separatist activities and striking separatist forces are also considered just actions internationally.

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