Record-breaking Number of Chinese Warplanes Approach Taiwan

China sent a record number of planes and numerous warships near Taiwan as part of major military drills around the island on Monday.

Why it matters: This shows both Beijing’s increasing aggression and the United States’ declining power. If the U.S. were the powerhouse it once was, China would not make such moves.

Drill: The “Joint Sword 2024” exercise is China’s second. The first came in May as China reacted to the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

• On Monday, Taiwan reported 34 Chinese vessels and 125 warplanes, the most planes detected in a single day.
• During May’s “Joint Sword 2024A,” it reported 31 vessels and 49 warplanes.

China: These drills are China’s response to a speech by Lai that showed a willingness to both work with and fight against Beijing.

• “We are willing to work with China on addressing climate change, combating infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.”
• “I will … uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty.”

China said it launched these drills to the north, east and south of the island to “test the joint operations capabilities of the theater command’s troops” and to serve “as a stern warning to the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan Independence’ forces.”

The People’s Liberation Army’s actions will be pushed further with each “Taiwan independence” provocation until the Taiwan issue is completely resolved.
—Chinese Defense Ministry

Holding back: Some analysts think China’s actions were calibrated to avoid affecting the U.S. presidential race.

• Beijing did not announce live-fire exercises or no-fly areas.
• A Taiwanese source said there were no signs of a missile launch, which happened in a 2022 drill.

Prophesied fall: The Trumpet has long warned that Taiwan will fall to China because of American weakness. The Bible prophesies that China will be a key player in an Asian alliance that will rise as the U.S. declines. In his 1998 article “Taiwan Betrayal,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry warned:

How could anyone fail to see that Taiwan is destined to become a part of mainland China? These 21 million people are going to be forced into the Chinese mold; and it is going to happen for one reason: because of a pitifully weak-willed America.