Beijing: China’s military has launched large-scale joint exercises involving its army, navy, and rocket forces around Taiwan, according to an official statement released on Tuesday via the Eastern Theater Command’s WeChat social media account.
The drills are designed to enhance combat readiness and strategic coordination among different branches of the Chinese military. According to the statement, the exercises will primarily focus on sea-air patrols, simulated attacks on maritime and ground targets, and enforcing blockades on key areas and shipping routes. These maneuvers aim to test the joint operational capabilities of Chinese forces and their preparedness for potential conflicts in the region.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan, with Beijing reiterating its long-standing claim over the self-ruled island. Chinese military activity around Taiwan has intensified in recent years, with frequent incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and naval maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait.
While China maintains that such exercises are routine and defensive in nature, Taiwan has consistently viewed them as acts of intimidation. In response to the latest drills, Taiwan’s defense ministry is expected to closely monitor Chinese military movements and deploy necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty.
These military exercises highlight ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with Beijing signaling its readiness to assert control while Taiwan and its allies remain watchful of China’s growing military assertiveness.