China military drills around Taiwan enter 24-mile restricted zone
Chinese vessels breached Taiwan restricted zone (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
China appears to have concluded its emergency military drills around Taiwan, which became the most significant and most alarming on record after reaching the 24-mile special maritime zone around the island, Bloomberg reports.
The European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, and several other countries criticized China's two-day drills, which Beijing launched urgently in response to the United States approving an $11 billion military aid package for Taiwan. In particular, the EU called on China to "exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate tensions."
China, for its part, reacted hysterically to the criticism, calling the Taiwan issue an "internal affair" and stating that "no country is entitled to make irresponsible comments."
The criticism from Western countries was prompted by China's two-day drills, which for the first time reached the 24-mile maritime zone around Taiwan. Chinese military vessels entered the area, and Chinese missiles launched during the drills fell within the special zone, Taiwan's military and coast guard said.
Although Beijing has not officially announced the end of the drills, only 35 Chinese military aircraft were detected near Taiwan over the past 24 hours, compared with more than 90 recorded the previous day.
"The maneuvers disrupted some Taiwan flights to offshore outposts, though international routes were mostly undisturbed. Taiwan stocks advanced Wednesday, finishing 2025 at a record," the report said.
US aid and China's response
In December, the US State Department announced that Taiwan would receive an arms package worth more than $11 billion. This is the largest US arms sale to Taiwan, which will receive missiles, drones, artillery systems, and military software.
In response, China staged urgent emergency military drills around Taiwan. The large-scale maneuvers involved both sea and air operations, prompting regional concern and close attention from international observers.
US President Donald Trump downplayed the significance of China's new military maneuvers, calling them routine drills that Beijing has conducted in the region for many years. In China, officials reacted aggressively to criticism from developed countries, saying they want "complete reunification" with Taiwan and will deliver a harsh response to countries that help the island with weapons.
