China's military train to blockade Taiwan and carry out precision strikes
Photo: China explains the goal of military drills near Taiwan (Getty Images)
The People's Liberation Army of China is conducting the second day of military drills around Taiwan today, code-named Strait Thunder-2025A. 76 military aircraft and 15 military ships from China have already been recorded near the island, according to Reuters.
China's military has stated that the drills near Taiwan are focused on honing its ability to blockade the island and carry out precise strikes.
As Western media point out, the exercises come after an escalation in China's rhetoric against Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing referred to as a "parasite" recently. They also took place after US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Asia, during which the American official criticized China.
China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has repeatedly condemned Lai as a "separatist." Lai, however, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and emphasizes that only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
Chinese military command shared that the drills were conducted in the central and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait. Some of Taiwan's remote islands are located just a few kilometers away from China.
"The drills involve precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities, and have achieved desired effects," the Chinese military statement said.
Taiwan's response to drills
A senior official from Taiwan's security service told Reuters that, on Wednesday morning, over 10 Chinese military ships were in the "response zone" around the island, and China’s coast guard participated in "pursuit" exercises.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that over the past 24 hours, 76 Chinese military aircraft and 15 Chinese military ships had been detected operating around the island.
Reaction from US, EU, and Japan
The United States, a key supporter of Taiwan and its main arms supplier, condemned China's military exercises.
"Once again, China's aggressive military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region’s security and the world's prosperity at risk," the US State Department said in a statement.
Japan and the European Union also expressed concern. A European Union representative noted that the bloc is "directly interested in maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait."
"We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo through force or coercion," the EU representative added.
Chinese military drills near Taiwan
Last year, China conducted two rounds of major military exercises around Taiwan: Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B.
Yesterday, Senior Colonel Shi Yi of the People's Liberation Army stated that the military had begun drills around Taiwan "from several directions." These exercises involve land forces, naval, air, and missile forces.
In March, China conducted military exercises, which it described as a "punishment" for Taiwan. In response, Taipei declared Beijing to be a peacebreaker.
Additionally, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is shifting its military strategy and preparing for a potential conflict with China, with Taiwan becoming a key challenge for the US.
