BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
China’s military on Monday launched extensive joint exercises involving air, naval and rocket forces around Taiwan, escalating pressure on the self-governed island in what Beijing described as a forceful warning against separatism and foreign involvement. The drills immediately prompted Taipei to place its military on high alert, with Taiwanese officials accusing Beijing of destabilizing regional peace.
The exercises, scheduled to run over two days, unfolded amid growing friction between China and the United States over arms sales to Taiwan and heightened concern in the region following remarks by Japan’s prime minister suggesting Tokyo could become involved if China were to take military action against the island. While Beijing did not explicitly name the United States or Japan in its initial announcement, the timing underscored mounting international tensions surrounding Taiwan’s security.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said it had activated rapid-response measures, deploying appropriate forces and conducting combat readiness drills to safeguard the island. In a strongly worded statement, the ministry described the Chinese Communist Party’s actions as aggressive and accused Beijing of undermining stability in the Taiwan Strait.
According to China’s People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command, the drills were taking place in multiple areas surrounding Taiwan, including the strait itself and waters to the north, southwest, southeast and east of the island. The exercises involve destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers, unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range rocket forces, reflecting what the command described as a comprehensive, joint operational posture.
Military officials in Beijing said the activities were focused on sea-and-air combat readiness patrols, coordinated operations aimed at seizing overall battlefield advantage, and simulated blockades of key ports. The command also noted that the drills were designed to demonstrate broad deterrence capabilities extending beyond the immediate island area, a reference to China’s growing emphasis on projecting power across wider regional waters.
Live-fire drills were carried out in designated maritime areas, with training that included precision strike simulations and coordination between naval and air assets. Taiwanese defense officials said that by mid-afternoon on Monday, they had detected nearly 90 Chinese aircraft and drones operating around the strait, with dozens entering airspace zones monitored closely by Taiwan’s military. Multiple Chinese naval vessels and coast guard ships were also observed in surrounding waters, including in parts of the western Pacific.
Speaking to reporters, senior Taiwanese military officials warned that the exercises went beyond direct military pressure on Taiwan and posed broader risks to neighboring countries and international shipping routes. They said such maneuvers could have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability.
The Chinese military also released a series of posters and messages online promoting the drills, using assertive language and imagery intended to underscore its stance against what it called foreign interference and separatist movements. The messaging reinforced Beijing’s long-standing claim over Taiwan and its willingness to use military force to pursue unification if necessary.
China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, following the Chinese civil war that led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on the mainland. Taiwan has since maintained its own democratic government and military, even as Beijing insists the island is part of its sovereign territory.
The latest drills follow recent Chinese sanctions imposed on U.S. defense companies and executives after Washington announced a proposed arms package for Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion. Under long-standing U.S. law, Washington is committed to helping Taiwan maintain its self-defense capabilities, a policy that has become a persistent source of friction with Beijing.
In Taipei, the president’s office condemned the Chinese maneuvers, saying they openly challenged international norms and threatened the stability of the Taiwan Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific region. Officials reiterated calls for restraint and emphasized Taiwan’s determination to defend itself while maintaining peace.
As military activity continues into Tuesday, analysts say the exercises highlight China’s increasing reliance on large-scale, highly visible drills to signal its intentions, even as regional leaders and global powers watch closely for signs of further escalation.
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