China conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, involving its most significant concentration of naval forces in nearly a year. The drills, which included naval, air, rocket, and ground forces, marked another escalation in Beijing’s ongoing military activities near the self-governed island.
According to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command, the exercises were launched “from multiple directions” and focused on “joint combat readiness” in key maritime zones. The Ministry of National Defense in Taipei reported the presence of at least 19 Chinese warships near Taiwan, while additional aircraft incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) were also recorded.
The military drills come at a time of heightened tensions, with Beijing increasing its rhetoric and military posturing around Taiwan. The Chinese government considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. However, Taiwan’s government maintains that it is a sovereign state and rejects Beijing’s claims.
Tuesday’s exercises were among the most comprehensive that China has conducted in the Taiwan Strait over the past year. The scale and complexity of the operation suggest a further refinement of Beijing’s military capabilities aimed at enforcing its territorial claims over Taiwan.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, stated that the drills were designed to test the military’s ability to operate across multiple domains. “This operation enhances our joint combat readiness and sharpens our ability to respond to any threats in key maritime regions,” he said.
China’s Ministry of National Defense did not confirm specific numbers regarding the deployment of ships or aircraft but acknowledged the exercise as a “routine operation” designed to maintain regional stability. However, Taiwanese officials and Western military analysts see the drills as another demonstration of Beijing’s ability to blockade or threaten the island in a potential conflict scenario.
The exercise also included participation from the Chinese coast guard, which conducted patrols near Taiwan’s offshore islands, including Dongyin and Wuqiu. The coast guard drills involved identification and verification of vessels, as well as capture and expulsion operations. Beijing has increasingly relied on its coast guard and maritime militia to exert pressure in contested waters, a strategy often referred to as “gray-zone tactics” that fall short of direct military engagement but still challenge Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated that its forces remained on high alert throughout the exercises. Taiwanese military officials reported that their naval and aerial assets were closely monitoring the Chinese movements, deploying surveillance aircraft and missile defense systems as a precautionary measure.
A spokesperson for Taiwan’s military emphasized that the island was prepared to defend itself against any hostile actions. “We are closely monitoring all activities in our surrounding areas. Taiwan’s military is fully prepared to respond to any situation and will take necessary measures to ensure national security,” the ministry said in a statement.
Despite Beijing’s insistence that the drills were defensive, Taiwanese officials view them as part of a broader strategy to intimidate the island. The Chinese military has increased both the frequency and intensity of its operations around Taiwan in recent years, particularly following former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island in August 2022, which triggered China’s largest-ever military response.
The latest exercises follow renewed statements from the United States regarding its commitment to Taiwan’s security. Washington has consistently voiced opposition to any attempts by China to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department reaffirmed the U.S. stance, stating, “We strongly oppose any coercive or provocative actions that threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The United States remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and maintaining regional security.”
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has reportedly increased surveillance and reconnaissance operations in the area, though there has been no indication of an immediate U.S. military response to the drills. The U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, meaning it does not explicitly state whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese invasion. However, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have continued, and military cooperation between Taipei and Washington has expanded in recent years.
Japan, a key regional ally of both Taiwan and the U.S., also expressed concern over the exercises. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that Tokyo was closely monitoring the situation and urged all parties to maintain stability. Japan has grown increasingly vocal about Taiwan’s security, given its proximity to the island and the potential for a conflict to impact regional trade and security.
The exercises underscore Beijing’s continued efforts to refine its military capabilities for a potential operation against Taiwan. Experts note that the PLA has been steadily improving its joint warfare tactics, incorporating elements of cyber warfare, missile strikes, and amphibious operations into its training scenarios.
“The scale of these drills shows that China is rehearsing for a range of contingencies, including blockades, amphibious assaults, and coordinated missile strikes,” said Collin Koh, a security analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. “They are testing their ability to coordinate different branches of the military in a high-intensity conflict scenario.”
The continued Chinese military activity around Taiwan also raises concerns about the potential for accidental escalation. With large numbers of military assets operating in close proximity, the risk of miscalculation or unintended conflict increases.
One such risk is the potential for close encounters between Chinese and Taiwanese forces, as well as interactions with U.S. and allied military aircraft and naval vessels in the region. The Taiwan Strait is one of the world’s busiest waterways, and any military confrontation could have significant economic and geopolitical consequences.
China’s latest military exercises reinforce its growing capability to apply sustained pressure on Taiwan. While no immediate conflict appears imminent, Beijing’s actions signal a continued willingness to use military force as a tool of coercion.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who is set to take office in May 2025, has pledged to strengthen Taiwan’s defense and maintain strong ties with the U.S. and regional allies. However, Beijing has expressed opposition to his administration, accusing him of promoting Taiwan’s independence.
As tensions continue to simmer, Taiwan is expected to further bolster its military preparedness, with an increasing focus on asymmetric warfare tactics—strategies designed to counter a numerically superior PLA force. The Taiwanese government has also been working to expand its international support network, despite Beijing’s diplomatic pressure on countries to sever ties with Taipei.
The Taiwan Strait remains a flashpoint in global geopolitics. With China’s military drills growing in scope and intensity, the risk of confrontation remains ever-present, making the region one of the most closely watched geopolitical hotspots in the world.
