China Holds Large-Scale Military Drills Near Taiwan, Raising Alarm in Washington
China has launched large-scale military drills near Taiwan, sharply escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and prompting concern in Washington and across the region. The exercises, involving naval vessels, fighter jets and missile units, are among the most expansive seen in recent months and are being widely viewed as a show of force aimed at pressuring Taipei and warning its international supporters.
China’s Ministry of Defence said the drills are focused on “joint combat readiness” and are intended to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. State media reported that the exercises include air and sea patrols, precision strike simulations and coordinated operations designed to test the People’s Liberation Army’s ability to control key areas around the island.
Taiwan’s defence ministry confirmed a surge in Chinese military activity around its air defence identification zone, saying it had deployed aircraft and naval assets to closely monitor the situation. Officials in Taipei accused Beijing of deliberately destabilising the region and using military intimidation to undermine Taiwan’s security and democratic system.
The developments have raised alarms in Washington, where US officials described the drills as “provocative” and potentially destabilising. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council said the United States remains committed to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and urged Beijing to avoid actions that could heighten the risk of miscalculation. The US Navy has increased monitoring in the region, though no immediate change in its operational posture has been announced.
Analysts say the timing of the drills is significant, coming amid deepening US–China rivalry and growing cooperation between Washington and its regional allies. Recent US arms sales to Taiwan and high-level diplomatic contacts have angered Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually be brought under its control.
Regional governments are watching closely. Japan and the Philippines have expressed concern over rising military activity near vital shipping lanes, warning that any escalation could have serious economic and security consequences. The Taiwan Strait is a critical artery for global trade, and instability there could disrupt supply chains worldwide.
As diplomatic tensions rise alongside military manoeuvres, experts warn that the margin for error is narrowing. While all sides say they want to avoid conflict, the scale and frequency of such drills underscore how fragile the security balance in the region has become.
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