As China intensifies its power projection, the latest developments reveal coordinated maneuvers involving both the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) in waters around Taiwan. Analysts say this marks a significant escalation of “gray-zone” tactics designed to pressure Taiwan without launching direct military action.
The Joint Sword-2024B exercise—shorter yet more intense than previous drills—featured the highest single-day airborne incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ, a record number of ships circling the island, and carrier sorties from China’s aircraft carrier group South China Morning Post.
Moreover, the CCG’s enhanced role—performing joint patrols and close encirclements of Taiwan’s outer islands—indicates a strategic shift. These moves suggest Beijing is ready to deploy maritime law enforcement to enforce blockades or quarantines, freeing up PLA units for other deployments South China Morning Post+1.
This dual-force posture underlines China’s evolving strategy to undermine Taiwan through sustained coercion—raising tensions and testing the will of democracies in the Indo-Pacific.
