What PLA Navy and China Coast Guard drills near Taiwan reveal about Beijing’s plans
Record 17 coastguard vessels coordinated closely with navy vessels in move described as ‘highlight’ of PLA drills around Taiwan on Monday
A record number of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft approached Taiwan in the 13-hour exercise dubbed “Joint Sword-2024B”, with the aircraft carrier Liaoning launching fighter jets towards the island from the east.
An unprecedented 17 coastguard vessels were part of the drills, as reported by Taiwan, compared to only seven deployed in Joint Sword-2024A drills in May, Beijing’s last major exercise staged around the self-governed island. That followed Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s inauguration speech which Beijing slammed as provocative.
Moreover, according to Taiwan’s ministry of defence, the coastguard ships were also operating alongside PLA naval vessels on a roughly 1:1 ratio in each area of operation, north, south and west of Taiwan and in the Taiwan Strait.
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According to Fu Qianshao, a military analyst and former PLA officer, the arrangement revealed close coordination between the two forces.
