- Taiwan’s Defense Ministry monitors Chinese exercises as Premier calls for de-escalation in the Taiwan Strait
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry issued a statement regarding Chinese live-fire military drills near its territory, describing them as part of routine exercises but also hinting at their potential role in Beijing’s broader strategy to assert dominance in the Taiwan Strait. The drills, conducted by China’s military off the coast of Fujian province, have raised concerns in Taipei about China’s intentions, particularly given the fragile geopolitical climate in the region.
China’s latest round of live-fire exercises took place near Niushan Island, which lies south of the Taiwan-controlled Matsu Islands. While Taiwan acknowledged that these exercises fall within China’s regular training schedule, the Defense Ministry did not rule out the possibility that they were intended to bolster China’s “deterrent effect” in the region, signaling Beijing’s growing pressure on Taiwan.
These drills follow a string of similar exercises by China aimed at reinforcing its claim to Taiwan, which it views as a breakaway province. As the region braces for the potential fallout, Taiwan’s leaders have called for de-escalation, warning that these frequent military displays only serve to heighten tensions and threaten regional stability.
According to China’s Maritime Safety Administration, the drills were scheduled for four hours, starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, and involved live ammunition in an area near Niushan Island, located in Fujian province. This area is strategically significant as it lies directly across the Taiwan Strait from Taiwan, and near the Matsu Islands, a cluster of small islands controlled by Taiwan. Given the proximity of the drills to Taiwanese territory, the exercises have once again stirred fears of Beijing’s growing military ambitions.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, while maintaining a vigilant stance, underscored that the drills are part of China’s routine annual training. However, it hinted that there could be more at play than just standard military practice. “We cannot rule out that this is part of China’s expanding deterrent effect in conjunction with the dynamics in the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry stated, without delving into further details.
In recent months, China’s military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait has increased dramatically. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted a series of military maneuvers near Taiwan, with warplanes regularly flying into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and warships encroaching upon its territorial waters. These moves are widely seen as an attempt to intimidate Taipei and signal Beijing’s resolve to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, by force if necessary.
In a press briefing, Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai expressed deep concern over China’s latest military exercises, warning that such provocations undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. “No matter how large the scale of the drill is, they should not be frequent and close to Taiwan,” Premier Cho said. “This will only cause unnecessary tension.”
Cho emphasized that China’s actions are a direct threat to the delicate balance of power in the region and risk escalating into a larger conflict. He urged Beijing to refrain from using military force to coerce Taiwan and instead focus on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences. “Taiwan remains open to peaceful dialogue, but these continued exercises and military pressure are not conducive to constructive engagement,” Cho remarked.
Taiwanese leaders have long expressed frustration over China’s military pressure. Over the past five years, China has dramatically ramped up the frequency of military drills in the Taiwan Strait, conducting air and naval exercises in close proximity to Taiwan’s airspace and maritime borders. These drills are not only a source of anxiety for Taipei but also raise alarms for Taiwan’s allies, particularly the United States, which has pledged to defend Taiwan in the event of an armed conflict.
Beijing’s military maneuvers come at a time when relations between China and Taiwan are at one of their lowest points in recent years. The rise of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a strong advocate for Taiwan’s sovereignty, has been met with fierce opposition from Beijing. President Lai, who took office in May 2024, has been branded by China as a “separatist,” with Chinese officials repeatedly dismissing his calls for dialogue. Lai has consistently rejected Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, arguing that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own future.
China’s leadership, under President Xi Jinping, has made it clear that reunification with Taiwan is a core objective of its national policy. While Xi has stressed that peaceful reunification remains Beijing’s preference, the Chinese government has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve its aims. The constant stream of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait is seen as a demonstration of China’s readiness to act if it deems necessary.
In a speech earlier this year, Xi reiterated that the reunification of Taiwan is “inevitable” and warned that any attempts to thwart China’s territorial claims would be met with severe consequences. This rhetoric, coupled with China’s growing military capabilities, has put the region on edge, with many fearing that the Taiwan Strait could become a flashpoint for conflict.
The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, has been closely monitoring the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Washington has repeatedly voiced its support for Taiwan’s defense and has increased arms sales to Taipei in recent years, providing advanced weapons systems and military equipment to bolster Taiwan’s ability to defend itself. These moves have been met with sharp criticism from Beijing, which views U.S. support for Taiwan as an infringement on China’s sovereignty.
In response to the latest drills, U.S. officials have urged both sides to refrain from escalating tensions, while reaffirming their commitment to Taiwan’s security under the Taiwan Relations Act. The act, passed by Congress in 1979, obligates the U.S. to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself but stops short of guaranteeing direct military intervention.
In addition to the U.S., other nations in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan and Australia, have also voiced concerns about China’s growing military assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait. These countries, along with the U.S., have participated in joint military exercises in the region, signaling a collective pushback against Beijing’s ambitions. However, there is also a widespread recognition that any military conflict in the Taiwan Strait could have catastrophic consequences for the global economy, given Taiwan’s central role in the global semiconductor industry.
While Taiwan’s Defense Ministry stopped short of labeling the recent Chinese drills as a direct threat, its acknowledgment of a possible “deterrent effect” highlights a broader concern in Taipei. China’s military activities in the Taiwan Strait serve not only as a show of force to Taiwan but also as a message to the international community, particularly the United States and its allies, that Beijing is prepared to defend its territorial claims at any cost.
Experts believe that China’s actions are part of a long-term strategy to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and weaken its resolve to resist reunification. By conducting regular military exercises near Taiwan, Beijing aims to normalize its military presence in the region and signal to Taiwan’s allies that any attempts to support the island’s independence would be met with military force.
Despite the growing pressure from Beijing, Taiwan’s government has remained steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty. President Lai has repeatedly stated that Taiwan will not bow to Chinese pressure and that its future will be determined by the will of its people. However, the increasing frequency of Chinese military drills and the absence of meaningful dialogue between the two sides suggest that tensions are likely to continue, with the risk of miscalculation or unintended escalation ever-present.
