TAIPEI/BEIJING – China has launched its largest military exercise around Taiwan in over a year, deploying 21 warships, 71 aircraft, and multiple coast guard vessels in a display of force that has heightened regional tensions. The Chinese military stated on Tuesday that the drills included “precision strikes” and a simulated blockade of the island, reinforcing Beijing’s claim that Taiwan’s pursuit of independence is “doomed to fail.”

Taiwanese officials have condemned the move, branding China as the “biggest global disruptor” and responding with countermeasures, including deploying naval vessels, fighter jets, and ground-based missile defense systems. Taiwan’s Presidential Office issued a strong rebuke, warning that China’s aggressive actions threaten peace and stability in the region.

China’s Show of Force: “Encircling Taiwan from Multiple Directions”

The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command confirmed the exercises involved coordinated maneuvers by its army, navy, air force, and rocket units. Military spokesperson Shi Yi stated that the drills aimed to send a “serious warning” to Taiwan and served as a deterrence against “separatist forces.” According to PLA reports, troops practiced “attacks on maritime and ground targets” while encircling Taiwan from “multiple directions.”

Chinese state media published an infographic illustrating Taiwan completely surrounded by PLA warships and fighter jets. A controversial propaganda image also surfaced, depicting Taiwan’s newly elected President Lai Ching-te as an insect roasting over an open flame, further intensifying tensions.

Meanwhile, China’s coast guard simultaneously announced increased “patrols” around Taiwan, stating they would conduct boarding, interception, and detainment of unauthorized vessels.

Taiwan’s Response: “Military Force Is Not the Path of Modern Societies”

Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai condemned China’s military escalation, stating, “Resorting to military force is not the approach that modern, progressive societies should take.” The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier ‘Shandong’ and its escort ships were among the warships mobilized—marking the largest PLA naval presence near Taiwan since May 2024.

The Ministry also confirmed that Taiwan’s military had been placed on high alert, deploying warships and jet fighters while activating land-based missile systems in response to Chinese aircraft encroaching on Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

U.S. and Allies Express Concern Over China’s Escalation

China’s military drills have drawn international condemnation, particularly from the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining “a credible deterrence” in the region, emphasizing that U.S. forces would continue ensuring stability in the Taiwan Strait.

During a visit to Japan on Sunday, Hegseth reiterated that the United States remains unwavering in its defense commitments, stating, “We stand firmly behind a robust and credible deterrence strategy across the Indo-Pacific, including the Taiwan Strait.” Last month, President Donald Trump warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be “catastrophic.”

Japan, Australia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also voiced concerns over China’s increasing military assertiveness, urging restraint and peaceful dialogue.

China’s Long-Term Strategy: Blockade Over Invasion?

China has ramped up military activity around Taiwan in recent years, using large-scale exercises to showcase its capability to enforce a naval and air blockade rather than a full-scale invasion. Military analysts suggest that Beijing might opt for an economic and military stranglehold to gradually pressure Taiwan into submission, rather than risk the high costs and geopolitical fallout of an amphibious assault.

As Taiwan remains a potential flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, global attention will remain fixed on whether Beijing further escalates its military posturing or shifts toward diplomatic engagement.

(Sources: Chinese and Taiwanese government statements, Reuters, AFP, U.S. Defense Department, PLA Eastern Theater Command)