Military Tensions Rise as China Completes Live-Fire Exercises Aimed at Taiwan

China’s Military Conducts Drills, Taiwan Condemns

China’s military has completed two days of live-fire exercises that included simulated strikes on key ports and energy sites aimed at Taiwan, the self-ruled island it claims as its own.

The surprise manoeuvres were condemned by Taiwan, while the US called them “intimidation tactics”. They came less than a month after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a “foreign hostile force”.

Details of the Exercises

Named “Strait Thunder-2025A”, the drills were in the middle and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait as well as the East China Sea, the military said. By Wednesday evening, a People’s Liberation Army spokesman Shi Yi said: “the eastern theatre command has completed all designated tasks of the joint exercises carried out from April 1 to 2”.

Earlier, he said that Wednesday’s exercises were meant to “test the troops’ capabilities” in areas such as “blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets”. The military also said it had held long-range live-fire drills and practised hitting “simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities”.

China’s Aircraft Carrier and Military Base

AFP journalists saw fighter jets circling over the island of Pingtan, the closest Chinese territory to Taiwan and which houses a military base. China’s Shandong aircraft carrier was also carrying out drills testing the ability to “blockade” Taiwan, the eastern theatre command said.

International Reaction

The US state department said Beijing’s “aggressive” military activities and rhetoric towards Taiwan “only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region’s security and the world’s prosperity at risk”. The UK foreign office said it was “concerned” over the Chinese drills, calling them “part of a pattern of activity which is increasing tensions and risking dangerous escalation in the Taiwan Strait.”

Taiwan’s Response

Taiwan’s defence ministry said there was no live fire near the island on Wednesday. By early afternoon, 36 Chinese aircraft, 21 warships and 10 coast guard boats had been detected around Taiwan. That compares with Tuesday’s count of 21 warships, 71 aircraft and four coast guard vessels.

Beijing’s Warning

“Pursuing Taiwan independence will only endanger Taiwan and plunge Taiwan compatriots into an abyss of misery,” said Chinese ministry of defence spokesman Zhang Xiaogang in a statement on Wednesday. Major General Meng Xiangqing, professor at the PLA National Defence University, warned more drills could follow.

Escalating Tensions

Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years and held multiple large-scale exercises around the island that are often described as rehearsals for a blockade and seizure of the territory. Tensions have escalated since Lai took office in May 2024, adopting tougher rhetoric than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen.

Conclusion

The drills are a reflection of China’s growing assertiveness in the region and its determination to bring Taiwan under its control. The situation remains tense, with the US and other countries watching closely to see how it develops.

FAQs

• What were the details of China’s live-fire exercises?
  • The exercises included simulated strikes on key ports and energy sites aimed at Taiwan.
• Who condemned the exercises?
  • Taiwan and the US called them “intimidation tactics”.
• What was the international reaction to the exercises?
  • The US state department said Beijing’s actions would exacerbate tensions, and the UK foreign office expressed concern over the drills.
• What did Taiwan’s defence ministry say about the exercises?
  • There was no live fire near the island on Wednesday.
• What is Beijing’s stance on Taiwan’s independence?
  • Beijing views Taiwan as a part of China and has warned that pursuing independence will lead to “an abyss of misery”.