Beijing/Taipei: China launched joint military exercises involving its army, navy, and rocket forces around Taiwan on Tuesday, calling the drills a “stern warning” against separatism. The exercises follow recent remarks by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who referred to Beijing as a “foreign hostile force”.
Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. In an aggressive propaganda campaign accompanying the drills, China’s Eastern Theatre Command released a video depicting Lai as a cartoon bug held by chopsticks above a burning Taiwan, labeling him a “parasite”.
China’s Military Operations and Taiwan’s Response
The Eastern Theatre Command stated that the drills focused on “combat readiness patrols at sea and in the air, seizing comprehensive control, striking maritime and land targets, and imposing blockade controls on key areas and routes.”
Taiwan’s government condemned the military exercises, with the presidential office stating that China is “widely recognized by the international community as a troublemaker.” Taiwan maintains that only its people have the right to determine the island’s future, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Taiwanese officials reported that over ten Chinese military ships approached Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile (44 km) contiguous zone. In response, Taiwan dispatched its own warships to monitor and counter the movements. However, no live fire from Chinese forces has been detected so far, according to one official.
Taiwan Deploys Forces Amid Growing Tensions
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that China’s Shandong aircraft carrier group entered the island’s response area on Monday. In response, Taiwan deployed military aircraft, warships, and activated land-based missile systems.
The drills coincide with the departure of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the region after visits to Japan and the Philippines, where he criticized China and underscored Japan’s strategic role in countering Beijing’s assertiveness. A senior Taiwan security official suggested that China timed the drills to avoid direct confrontation with Washington while using Taiwan as a pretext for military maneuvers.
“Taiwan is their best excuse. That’s why they chose to launch such military drills as soon as the U.S. defense secretary left Asia,” the official stated.
The American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto U.S. embassy, reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan, condemning China’s actions. “Once again, China has shown that it is not a responsible actor and has no problem putting the region’s security and prosperity at risk,” a spokesperson said.
Chinese Military Propaganda Intensifies
Following the drill announcement, China’s military released a series of videos showcasing its warships and fighter jets encircling Taiwan. One video, titled “Closing In,” depicted Chinese forces surrounding the island, while another, “Shell,” portrayed President Lai as a green cartoon bug spreading parasites across Taiwan. The animation carried messages such as “Parasite poisoning Taiwan island” and “Parasite courting ultimate destruction.”
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo criticized the rhetoric, stating that such depictions “show their provocative character” and do not contribute to regional stability.
A third video, “Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils,” featured Sun Wukong, the mythical warrior from the Chinese classic Journey to the West, portrayed as a military figure confronting enemies. The video transitioned into footage of Chinese fighter jets, further emphasizing Beijing’s aggressive stance.
Corruption Crackdown and Internal Military Discontent
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian asserted that the military drills were a “resolute punishment” for what Beijing perceives as Lai Ching-te’s “rampant independence provocations”.
In response, Taiwan’s defense minister suggested that China’s military should focus on addressing internal corruption rather than engaging in regional destabilization. China’s military has faced a sweeping anti-corruption crackdown, leading to the ousting of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu in October 2024.
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A Taiwan security source indicated that the ongoing military exercises serve as a means for China to divert attention from internal military dissatisfaction over the anti-corruption purge. “China is trying to keep its military preoccupied with drills to prevent soldiers from discussing the corruption crackdown on base,” the source said.
Chinese Coast Guard Joins the Exercises
China’s coast guard also participated in the drills, simulating “inspection and capture, interception, and detention operations against unwarranted vessels.” Beijing asserted that this was part of its “legitimate jurisdiction” over Taiwan.
The Global Times, a newspaper affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, highlighted that the exercise was conducted without a codename to signal that military operations around Taiwan “have become a normal practice.” Military analyst Zhang Chi from China’s National Defense University stated that the drills reinforced the PLA’s readiness for combat.
Since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in 2022, China has staged multiple rounds of military exercises around Taiwan, intensifying pressure on the island. The latest drills underscore the growing tensions between Beijing and Taipei, with Taiwan vowing to maintain its defense and sovereignty against external threats.
