China’s military launched extensive exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, mobilizing its army, navy, air force, and missile units in what it described as a practice blockade of the self-governed island. The drills, which Beijing says serve as a warning to pro-independence forces, highlight escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
According to Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, the exercises focus on joint combat-readiness patrols, control of strategic areas, and simulated attacks on maritime and land targets. Taiwan’s defense ministry responded by deploying forces to monitor the situation, reaffirming its commitment to protecting its sovereignty.
Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, frequently sending fighter jets and warships near the island. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has condemned China’s actions, calling Beijing a “foreign hostile force” and vowing to counter Chinese espionage and infiltration.
The drills come amid broader geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, Taiwan’s primary military supporter. While Washington supplies arms to Taipei, it maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese invasion. Meanwhile, Taiwan is strengthening its defenses, with a fleet of advanced F-16V fighter jets expected to be operational by 2026.
