China launches large-scale military drills around Taiwan involving troops, navy and air force

According to him, the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command is deploying ground forces, the navy, air force, and missile troops to the Taiwan Strait, as well as to areas north, southwest, southeast, and east of the island of Taiwan.

He said the drills will focus on:

• patrol operations;

• maintaining maritime and air defense combat readiness;

• joint seizure of comprehensive superiority;

• blockading key ports and areas;

• comprehensive deterrence beyond the archipelago.

"As ships and aircraft approach the island of Taiwan from multiple directions, forces from different services are conducting joint assaults to test their joint operational capabilities," Colonel Shi Yi said.

He added that the exercises serve as a "stern warning" to separatist forces advocating Taiwan’s independence, as well as a warning against external interference, calling them a "legitimate and necessary step to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity."

In a separate statement, the PLA said it will conduct live-fire drills on Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in five areas around Taiwan, urging "any vessels or aircraft" not involved in the drills to avoid the exercise zones.

Bloomberg notes that these are the PLA’s first major exercises near Taiwan since April, when two-day drills rehearsed a blockade. Those maneuvers also included simulated strikes on notional targets, including ports and energy facilities.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary, a position held by Beijing and firmly rejected by Taipei.

Could China attack Taiwan?

Last month, Bild, citing Western intelligence services, reported that China could invade Taiwan as early as November 2026, potentially amid domestic unrest in the United States following midterm elections.

A week ago, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that if China were to attack Taiwan, Russia would simultaneously increase pressure on Europe.

Earlier in December, the United States approved its largest-ever military aid package for Taiwan, totaling $11.1 billion, the most extensive support in the history of US–Taiwan relations.

A week later, China’s Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against 10 individuals and 20 US companies over arms sales to Taiwan.