Chinese Military Exercise Near Taiwan 2024 10 14 @SkyNews

A record 125 Chinese military aircraft were involved in exercises around Taiwan, according to Taiwan's defence ministry. This comes after Taiwan's president reiterated its sovereignty during the recent National Day celebrations. The exercise, named Joint Sword 2024-B, was described by China’s Taiwan affairs office as a "resolute punishment" for Vice President Lai Ching-te’s advocacy of Taiwanese independence.

Of the 125 aircraft, 90 entered Taiwan's air defence identification zone, comprising planes, helicopters, and drones. Seventeen warships, including China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, also participated in the drills. China’s state broadcaster CCTV displayed a map showing six zones encircling Taiwan, with circles around its outlying islands and a jet taking off from an aircraft carrier.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the possibility of using force to capture the island, which is home to 23 million people. This military activity underscores rising tensions, as China continues to pressure Taiwan in response to its claims of sovereignty.