Beijing, April 1 — China has initiated large-scale joint military drills around Taiwan, marking a strong show of force aimed at deterring pro-independence movements and reinforcing its territorial claims over the island.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command launched the exercises on Tuesday, deploying a coordinated mix of army, navy, air force, and rocket units. These forces encircled Taiwan from multiple directions, signaling a heightened level of operational preparedness and strategic positioning.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command, announced that the drills are focused on key combat operations including sea-air combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of battlefield superiority, strikes on maritime and ground targets, and the blockade of strategic zones and sea routes. The exercises are designed to rigorously test the joint operational capabilities of China's armed forces.
“These drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces,” Shi emphasized, stating that the actions are both "legitimate and necessary" to protect China's sovereignty and maintain national unity.
While China has conducted similar military drills around Taiwan in the past, this operation is notably the first major exercise of its kind since U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term in office, underscoring a shift in geopolitical dynamics and heightened regional tensions.
China continues to assert that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan, however, maintains it is a sovereign state with its own government and military.
The latest maneuvers are seen as part of Beijing's ongoing strategy to project power and suppress any moves toward formal independence by the Taiwanese leadership.