Template:Infobox military exercise The 2023 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) was a series of military exercises by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) encircling Taiwan. 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 president Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with US Speaker of the House Kevin 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]
Background[]
2022 military exercises[]
On 2 August 2022, then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan and met with president Tsai Ing-wen.[8] In response, the People's Liberation Army pursued a series of military exercises encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills, air sorties, naval deployments, and ballistic missile launches. On 7 August, the Taiwanese government announced that it would be conducting live-fire artillery exercises in Pingtung County.[9] During drills held in Lienchiang 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]
President Tsai's visit to the U.S.[]

U.S. Speaker McCarthy with Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, April 2023
On 4 March 2023, US Speaker of the House Kevin 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 the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
Hours after Tsai's meeting, a congressional delegation consisting of Representative Michael McCaul, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, arrived in Taipei 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 compared CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping with Adolf Hitler, a remark that sparked controversy.[16] In response, the Chinese Party $3 (CCP) sanctioned McCaul.[17]
Military exercises[]
On 8 April 2023, the PLA announced the start of three days of "combat readiness patrols" (战备警巡) encircling Taiwan, naming the exercises "United Sharp Sword" or "Allied Sword" (联合利剑).[1][18][19][20] 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.[21]

Xian H-6 bombers, one pictured here in 2022, were spotted flying over Taiwan during the exercises
Following the announcement, the military dispatched several warships and dozens of aircraft—including Sukhoi Su-30s and Xian H-6 bombers—toward Taiwan.[22] According to Taiwan's defense ministry, approximately 71 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.[23] The PLA later announced a live-fire exercise on waters near Pingtan Island.[24] 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 the Shandong aircraft carrier which was participating in the military exercises.[25]
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.[26]
In response, on 10 April the U.S. Navy sent one warship to the South China Sea.[27] That same day, China announced the end of the initial drills, but stated they would continue combat training around Taiwan.[28]
Reactions[]
Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an audio post to Telegram that China had the "right to respond" against the "provocative actions" against it.[25]
The European 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.[29]
See also[]
- Cross-Strait relations
- 2022 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "China Sends Warships, Fighter Jets Near Taiwan Following President's Meeting With US Speaker McCarthy". WNBC. 8 April 2023. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/china-sends-warships-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-following-presidents-meeting-with-us-speaker-mccarthy/4222960/.
- ↑ McDonald, Joe (8 April 2023). "China flies fighter jets near Taiwan after leader's trip to U.S.". Los Angeles Times. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-flies-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-after-leader-s-trip-to-u-s/ar-AA19CiUL.
- ↑ "China holds military drills around Taiwan after Tsai-McCarthy meeting". Axios. 8 April 2023. https://www.axios.com/2023/04/08/china-taiwan-military-drills-tsai-mccarthy.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kube, Courtney; Jett, Jennifer (6 April 2023). "U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai". NBC. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-taiwan-china-mccarthy-tsai-rcna78452.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Millis, Leah (6 March 2023). "House Speaker Kevin McCarthy plans to meet Taiwan's president in the U.S., sources say". CNBC.com. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/07/kevin-mccarthy-plans-to-meet-taiwans-president-in-the-us-sources.html.
- ↑ Foran, Clare (5 April 2023). "Taiwan's president warns 'democracy is under threat' in joint remarks with McCarthy". CNN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/taiwan-president-tsai-and-speaker-mccarthy-set-to-meet-in-show-of-democratic-solidarity/ar-AA19uZt6.
- ↑ "China begins three days of military drills in Taiwan Strait". Al Jazeera. 8 April 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/8/china-begins-three-days-of-military-drills-in-taiwan-strait.
- ↑ Mason, Jeff; Martina, Michael (August 1, 2022). "White House: U.S. will not be intimidated by China; Pelosi has right to visit Taiwan". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/white-house-says-pelosi-has-right-visit-taiwan-2022-08-01.
- ↑ "Taiwan to hold live-fire artillery drills to test combat readiness - Focus Taiwan". https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202208070007.
- ↑ "Fire breaks out on outer island during Taiwanese artillery drill | Taiwan News | 2022-08-05 23:37:00". 5 August 2022. https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4617703.
- ↑ Qin, Amy; Mozur, Paul (2 August 2022). "After Pelosi's arrival, China announced military drills in nearby waters.". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/02/world/asia/china-taiwan-pelosi.html.
- ↑ Kube, Courtney; Jett, Jennifer (April 6, 2023). "U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai". NBC. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-taiwan-china-mccarthy-tsai-rcna78452.
- ↑ Foran, Clare (April 5, 2023). "Taiwan's president warns 'democracy is under threat' in joint remarks with McCarthy". CNN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/taiwan-president-tsai-and-speaker-mccarthy-set-to-meet-in-show-of-democratic-solidarity/ar-AA19uZt6.
- ↑ Kude, Courtney; Jett, Jennifer (6 April 2023). "U.S. lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China blasts McCarthy's meeting with Tsai". NBC. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-taiwan-china-mccarthy-tsai-rcna78452.
- ↑ Dunleavy, Jerry (6 April 2023). "Congressional delegation slams Chinese 'intimidation' tactics after touching down in Taiwan". Washington Examiner. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/mccaul-house-travel-taiwan-defiance-intimidation-china.
- ↑ "US Lawmaker Compares Xi to Hitler in Meeting With Taiwan’s VP" Bloomberg News. April 6, 2023. Accessed 15 April 2023.
- ↑ "GOP rep. lauds CCP's sanctions on him as a 'badge of honor'". Fox News. 16 April 2023. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/gop-rep-lauds-ccp-s-sanctions-on-him-as-a-badge-of-honor/ar-AA19VQmx.
- ↑ "News reference materials of the press conference for the 2nd week of April 2023 of the Ministry of National Defense (MND)". Taipei, Taiwan: Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China). 2023-04-12. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. https://archive.today/20231006072232/https://www.mnd.gov.tw/English/Publish.aspx?title=News%20Channel&SelectStyle=Defense%20News%20&p=81637. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ↑ "國防部112年4月份第2週記者會新聞參考資料". Taipei, Taiwan: Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China). 2023-04-12. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. https://archive.today/20231006072150/https://www.mnd.gov.tw/Publish.aspx?p=81316&title=%E5%9C%8B%E9%98%B2%E6%B6%88%E6%81%AF&SelectStyle=%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E7%A8%BF. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ↑ "China simulates 'strikes on targets in Taiwan' as drills continue" (in en). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/9/china-simulates-strikes-on-targets-in-taiwan-as-drills-continue.
- ↑ "China starts 3 days of combat readiness patrol exercises around Taiwan". ABC News. 8 April 2023. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-starts-3-days-of-combat-readiness-patrol-exercises-around-taiwan/ar-AA19BRQR.
- ↑ "China conducts second day of military drills around Taiwan". NBC. 6 April 2023. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-simulates-striking-taiwan-second-day-military-drills-rcna78828.
- ↑ Arslan, Josh; Lee, Yimou; Blanchard, Ben (8 April 2023). "Chinese planes cross Taiwan Strait median line". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/china-announces-drills-around-taiwan-after-us-speaker-meeting-2023-04-08/.
- ↑ Buckley, Chris; Chang Chien, Amy; Wang, Vivian (8 April 2023). "China Holds Military Drills Around Taiwan in 'Stern Warning'". New York Times. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/chinas-military-says-its-ready-to-fight-after-aircraft-carrier-simulates-sealing-off-taiwan/ar-AA19GDmA.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 "China-Taiwan: Aircraft carrier 'seals off' island on third day of drills" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2023-04-10. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65229003.
- ↑ "China simulates strikes on Taiwan in military drills – DW – 04/09/2023" (in en). https://www.dw.com/en/china-simulates-strikes-on-taiwan-in-military-drills/video-65267367.
- ↑ Wallace, Danielle (10 April 2023). "China's military says it's 'ready to fight' after aircraft carrier simulates 'sealing off' Taiwan". Fox News. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/chinas-military-says-its-ready-to-fight-after-aircraft-carrier-simulates-sealing-off-taiwan/ar-AA19GDmA.
- ↑ Lee, Yimou; Blanchard, Ben (11 April 2023). "China continues 'combat training' around Taiwan after drills end". Rueters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-president-says-china-military-exercises-not-responsible-2023-04-10/.
- ↑ "EU concerned by Chinese drills around Taiwan, calls for restraint" (in en). Reuters. 2023-04-10. https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-concerned-by-chinese-drills-around-taiwan-calls-restraint-2023-04-10/.
Template:Xi Jinping Template:Cross-Strait relations
|
The original article can be found at 2023 Chinese military exercises around Taiwan and the edit history here.