China launched major military exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket forces in what Beijing described as a practice for “precision strikes” and a blockade of the island.
Taiwan responded by deploying its own aircraft, ships, and land-based missile systems, condemning Beijing’s actions as those of the world’s “biggest troublemaker.” The drills followed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent statement in Japan, where he reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to ensuring “credible deterrence” across the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing has long opposed U.S. support for Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, and has increased its military presence around the island in recent years. Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that China had deployed 19 warships, including the Shandong aircraft carrier group, in the 24 hours leading up to the drills—the highest number recorded since May 2023.
Tensions have escalated since Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te took office in May 2024. Beijing views Lai as a separatist and has criticized his firm stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty. Last month, Lai referred to China as a “foreign hostile force” and introduced measures to counter Chinese espionage and infiltration.
China’s Eastern Theater Command, which oversees operations in the Taiwan Strait, said the drills were meant to send a “stern warning and forceful deterrence” to Taiwan’s leaders. The exercises included “sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes,” said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the command’s spokesperson.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office denounced China’s military maneuvers, with Premier Cho Jung-tai stating, “Resorting to displays of military force is not what modern, progressive societies should pursue.”
China has previously conducted similar large-scale drills around Taiwan, often seen as rehearsals for a blockade rather than a full-scale invasion, which analysts believe would be riskier and require a massive military effort.
Some experts speculate that the timing of the exercises is China’s way of testing the U.S. stance under President Donald Trump ahead of a potential Trump-Xi summit. Trump has warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be “catastrophic,” especially as Taiwan’s semiconductor giant TSMC announced a $100 billion investment in the U.S.
Taiwan, a leading producer of semiconductor chips, remains a key flashpoint in China-U.S. tensions. While the U.S. is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with arms, it maintains “strategic ambiguity” regarding whether it would intervene militarily in a conflict.
The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces fled to the island after losing the Chinese civil war. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state but has refrained from declaring formal independence, a move that would likely provoke a strong response from Beijing.
Currently, only 11 countries and the Vatican recognize Taiwan as an independent nation.