China has reportedly ramped up military exercises around the self-governed island, with Taiwan’s defence ministry issuing a strong warning regarding Beijing’s actions. Over the past five years, Taiwan has repeatedly voiced concerns over China’s military activity, accusing it of undermining stability in the region. On Thursday, those tensions reached a new peak, as Taiwan’s defence officials reported an unprecedented surge in Chinese maneuvers near its borders.
The ministry revealed that for the second day in a row, 29 Chinese aircraft had participated in what it described as a “joint combat readiness patrol” alongside Chinese warships in the waters surrounding Taiwan. The previous day had already seen an alarming display of military force, with 43 Chinese aircraft conducting operations in the area. Of these, 23 jets flew south through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, before heading up Taiwan’s eastern coastline—though notably, they did not enter Taiwanese airspace.
The timing of these drills coincided with a significant visit by the commander of China’s southern military command to U.S. military leaders in Hawaii from September 18 to 20. According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, while diplomatic talks were ongoing, China simultaneously conducted live-fire drills in the Yellow and Bohai seas, areas near the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Taiwan’s ministry claimed that Beijing is attempting to present a façade of dialogue while steadily building its military strength. This approach, they argued, “highlights the hegemonic nature of an authoritarian regime that lacks policy stability,” posing a real danger to its neighbors.
Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang calling them “legitimate” and reaffirmed that China would continue to enhance its combat readiness. “China will continue to strengthen its combat readiness and organize military exercises,” Zhang asserted, signaling no intent to ease off on its military operations around Taiwan.
Wednesday’s flights were reportedly part of China’s annual military exercises. Drills include simulated attacks in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, aimed at preventing foreign intervention in the event of an actual conflict. According to sources, the exercises also focus on air dominance drills near Taiwan’s southwestern coast and air refueling maneuvers over the Bashi Channel.
China’s latest military moves weren’t limited to aircraft maneuvers. The country also announced a rare intercontinental ballistic missile test in the Pacific Ocean earlier this week. In response, Taiwan’s presidential office issued a statement urging China to exercise restraint. “China has been carrying out a variety of military exercises in the region recently, which threatens the status quo of peace,” the statement warned.
Western naval forces, including vessels from New Zealand and Australia, have been navigating the Taiwan Strait to assert freedom of navigation, a strategic passage that China has long sought to dominate.
