China Conducts Military Drills From Multiple Directions Around Taiwan, Challenging U.S. Resolve

On Tuesday, the Chinese military announced that they had initiated combined drills encompassing their army, navy, air force, and missile corps near Taiwan. This move was described as a "firm warning." The exercises came just days after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged to oppose "China’s aggressive actions" during his inaugural trip to Asia.

China's military will "move closer" towards the autonomous island from "various angles" during the exercises and training simulations, which include "attacks on marine and land objectives" as well as "blockades of critical regions and waterways," according to a statement posted on social media by China's People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command. This is aimed at assessing the integrated operational skills of their personnel.

"It serves as a strong deterrent against 'Taiwan Independence' secessionist groups and is a justified and essential step for protecting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement further noted.

As China conducts new military drills, Taiwan watches anxiously amid shifts in international relations due to US President Donald Trump's "America First" approach, which prioritizes American interests through protectionist policies. discarding decades-old guarantees heading toward Europe and urging longstanding Asian allies and partners to pay more for US protection.

In the meantime, those closely associated with Trump have consistently stressed the importance of the U.S. directing its efforts and assets toward thwarting China’s objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.

For Taiwan, a democracy of some 23 million people that sits just 80 miles from China at its nearest point, the drills are the latest reminder of the threat that comes from its giant Communist Party-run neighbor, which claims the island as its own and has vowed to seize it by force if necessary.

Taiwan authorities have denounced the exercises as "reckless" and "irresponsible."

"It was unjustified and contravenes international law; thus, it is entirely unacceptable. Democratic nations must denounce China for acting as an instigator," stated Joseph Wu, who serves as the secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council. post on social platform X.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry reported detecting 71 Chinese military planes and 13 naval ships from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in proximity to Taiwan. Additionally, they observed a fleet headed by China’s independently developed first domestic aircraft carrier, the Shandong, operating in the Western Pacific region.

The ministry stated that their forces are operating at "enhanced alertness" to address the current circumstances.

Taiwan's military sent its own planes and vessels, along with deploying ground-launched missile systems, to carefully track and adequately react to the circumstances surrounding the Shandong aircraft carrier group, according to a statement from the island's Defense Ministry.

On Tuesday, the Eastern Theater Command published a video depicting the PLA’s involvement in exercises, illustrating Chinese frigates navigating through waters, military planes lifting off from runways, and missiles being positioned for potential launches.

In the afternoon, they stated that they had arranged naval and air force units to carry out drills in the northern, southern, and eastern maritime areas around Taiwan. These maneuvers were synchronized with traditional missile systems and long-range artillery rockets. They didn’t provide information about the duration of these exercises.

Hegseth’s Asia trip

In Taiwan, both government officials and experts see the Chinese military exercises as a message directed at the Trump administration. Notably, several important cabinet members hold a tough stance toward China; among them are Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

During his first trip to Asia As the US Defense Secretary mentioned last week, Hegseth pledged to strengthen America’s military cooperation with the Philippines aiming to "re-establish deterrence" against "China's aggressive actions" within the Indo-Pacific area. He also referred to Japan as an “essential ally for preventing Communist Chinese military expansion,” particularly concerning the situation around the Taiwan Strait.

A study conducted internally by the Taiwanese government listed Hegseth’s visit as one of the "external factors" contributing to China's recent military exercises.

According to the analysis provided to GudangMovies21 by a high-ranking Taiwanese national security officer, they have emphasized the significance of security and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The analysis also notes that the U.S. is redirecting its security attention towards the Indo-Pacific area, which significantly impacts Beijing’s plans.

"Facing impending U.S.-China trade discussions and anticipated actions targeting China, Beijing has chosen moderation to prevent moves that might appear as direct confrontation with the U.S. Taipei provides an ideal excuse; thus, Beijing initiated these military exercises right away following the departure of the U.S. Secretary of Defense from Asia," the analysis noted.

Su Tzu-yun, a director at the Institute for National Defense Security Research in Taiwan, noted that contrary to the two "Joint Sword-2024" military drills held by China last year, this recent exercise was unexpectedly launched on Tuesday morning.

"I believe Beijing is attempting to send a message to Washington," Su stated.

On Tuesday, China announced that its coast guard had initiated "law enforcement patrols" in the areas around Taiwan. These operations included exercises such as intercepting and detaining "illegitimate ships."

Rising tensions

The Chinese military has increased routine patrols and conducted more frequent drills in the airspace and seas surrounding Taiwan. This activity is part of an overall show of force reflecting China’s assertions over its territory under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

Frequent large-scale drills frequently act as a way for Beijing to convey dissatisfaction towards the island—while also enhancing their comprehension of how Taiwan detects and reacts to military pressures exerted by China.

In recent years, China's military has conducted exercises that circle around Taiwan and mimic a blockade of the island — tactics that analysts suggest could potentially be employed should Beijing choose to assert control through forceful means.

Zhang Chi, a professor from the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army in Beijing, mentioned on Tuesday that the recent drills do not carry a particular designation as these military activities have grown more frequent and commonplace.

"This mostly suggests that the drills we observe nowadays have turned into a standard practice for the PLA and the Eastern Theater Command — they consider this routine," he stated to China’s state broadcaster. CCTV.

Beijing has consistently charged Taiwan’s leadership with pursuing "independence," labeling President Lai Ching-te as a "separatist." Following his swearing-in ceremony last year, China initiated extensive military exercises shortly thereafter.

On Tuesday, following the announcement of their most recent exercises, the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command published several propaganda clips. One such video portrays Lai as an animated green insect, referring to him derogatorily as a "parasite" who is exploiting the island.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, referred to the military drills as "a strong message to deter the provocative actions of the Lai Ching-te administration towards independence."

Lai, a strong advocate for Taiwan’s sovereignty, has urged China to stop its intimidating tactics; however, he consistently emphasizes the significance of upholding " peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Polls consistently show people in Taiwan, a thriving and outspoken democracy, have no desire to be ruled by China, an authoritarian one-party state.

The most recent exercises come after a string of events that have escalated tensions throughout the Taiwan Strait. These include Taipei's apprehension in late February of a crew from a Chinese vessel suspected of slicing an underwater internet cable. This marks the second similar occurrence within just a few months.

A few weeks ago, Lai referred to China as a "hostile foreign entity" and intensified national security initiatives aimed at countering Chinese spying and interference. Shortly thereafter, Taiwan expelled a Chinese social media personality who supported Beijing’s military annexation of the island’s democratic government.

Taiwan has frequently been viewed as a possible trigger for an armed confrontation between China and the United States.

The U.S. sustains informal ties with Taipei and is obligated by legislation to supply Taiwan with defensive arms. For decades, Washington has upheld a strategy of deliberate vagueness regarding its stance on whether it would intervene militarily should China attempt to invade Taiwan.

The narrative has been revised to include further details.

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