Beijing: China’s military has completed a two-day series of war games surrounding Taiwan, including long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea, marking an escalation of its military activities near the island.
The Eastern Theatre Command of China’s military announced late Wednesday that the exercises had successfully tested its troops' ability to conduct “integrated joint operations.”
“Troops remain on high alert and will continue enhancing combat readiness through rigorous training, firmly countering any separatist efforts toward ‘Taiwan independence,’” the military stated on social media.
The drills took place amid heightened tensions following U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Asia, during which he repeatedly criticized Beijing. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has intensified its rhetoric against Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a “parasite” and a “separatist.” Lai, who was elected last year, has rejected China’s sovereignty claims, insisting that Taiwan’s future should be determined solely by its people.
As part of the Strait Thunder-2025A exercises, China’s ground forces carried out precision strikes in the East China Sea, targeting simulated key ports and energy facilities. The Chinese military also released footage of the exercises, showing rockets hitting land-based targets and animations of explosions over Taiwanese cities, including Tainan, Hualien, and Taichung—all locations with military bases and strategic ports.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that it detected 36 Chinese military aircraft on Wednesday, down from 76 the previous day. The ministry launched its own rapid-response drills for the second consecutive day to ensure preparedness against any sudden moves by China.
The Shandong, one of China’s aircraft carriers, participated in the exercises east of Taiwan, focusing on naval and air force coordination as well as multi-dimensional blockade operations. Meanwhile, China’s Maritime Safety Administration declared a restricted zone for shipping due to the military drills, effective until Thursday night, in an area off Zhejiang province—more than 500 kilometers from Taiwan.
In response, Taiwan condemned China’s actions, calling the exercises a clear attempt to intimidate its population. Taiwanese officials have also warned citizens to be cautious about traveling to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, amid growing risks linked to Beijing’s crackdown on alleged separatist activities.
While there have been no reported disruptions to travel or trade, Taiwan’s stock market briefly dipped after the military drill announcements but managed to close with a slight gain.
The United States, Taiwan’s key international ally, strongly criticized China’s military maneuvers. “Once again, China’s aggressive military actions and rhetoric against Taiwan are escalating tensions and endangering both regional security and global stability,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. Japan and the European Union also voiced concern, with the EU emphasizing its commitment to preserving the Taiwan Strait’s status quo and opposing unilateral changes through force.
China, however, dismissed these international concerns. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reaffirmed Beijing’s stance that Taiwan is purely an internal matter and warned against external interference.
Taiwan has faced continuous military pressure from China since 1949, when the Republic of China government retreated to the island following its defeat by Mao Zedong’s Communist forces in the Chinese Civil War. While direct conflict has been avoided for decades, Beijing’s military activities around Taiwan have significantly increased in recent years, raising fears of a potential crisis in the region.
