China Launches Large Military Drills Around Taiwan to Issue 'Severe Warning'

China’s military has launched large-scale drills around Taiwan, sending what Beijing officials call a "severe warning" and demonstrating "forceful containment against Taiwan independence." The announcement came Tuesday, following unannounced military exercises involving Chinese navy, air, ground, and rocket forces.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported tracking 19 Chinese navy vessels in the surrounding waters within a 24-hour period, ending Tuesday morning. The island's officials strongly condemned these maneuvers, emphasizing that such actions threaten not only the peace in the Taiwan Strait but also the security of the entire region. Taiwan’s Presidential Office, in a statement on X, highlighted similar Chinese activities in areas near Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and the South China Sea.

Taiwanese defense officials also noted that China's Shandong aircraft carrier and its group had entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone on Monday. In response, Taiwan deployed military aircraft, ships, and activated land-based missile systems.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, addressing these developments, reaffirmed the U.S. stance on maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and opposing any attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion. She also emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing cross-strait issues.

Meanwhile, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency revealed that the Eastern Theater Command conducted "multi-subject drills" in the waters to the north, south, and east of Taiwan. These included air interception, maritime target assaults, ground strikes, and joint blockade operations, reflecting a comprehensive military capability drill.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office directed its criticisms toward Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, a staunch proponent of Taiwan's independence. Accusing Lai of stirring anti-China sentiment, the office issued a stern warning, stating that it would "resolutely counter and severely punish" such actions.

As tensions escalate, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo noted that these military activities "amply reflect China’s destruction of regional peace and stability." While the drills are officially described as an effort to test operational capabilities, their timing and scale underscore Beijing’s intent to send a loud and clear message.