- China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan in 2025.
- Exercises involved army, navy, air force, and rocket force units.
- Drills aimed at testing joint operations and simulating blockades.
- Taiwan condemned the exercises as reckless and provocative.
- US defense strategies in the Indo-Pacific influenced China’s actions.
China’s Military Drills Around Taiwan
According to CNN, in 2025, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched extensive joint military exercises around Taiwan, involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket force. The drills, described as a “stern warning” by the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, aimed to test joint operations capabilities and simulate attacks on maritime and ground targets, as well as blockades of key areas and sea lanes. The exercises were framed as a response to what Beijing perceives as provocations by Taiwan’s leadership, particularly President Lai Ching-te, whom China accuses of promoting independence.
Taiwan’s Response
Taiwan swiftly condemned the drills, labeling them as “reckless” and “irresponsible.” Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, stated that the exercises violated international laws and called on democracies to condemn China’s actions. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry closely monitored the situation, deploying its own aircraft, ships, and land-based missile systems to respond to the PLA’s maneuvers. The presence of China’s Shandong aircraft carrier group in nearby waters further heightened tensions.
US Strategic Shifts
The drills coincided with a broader shift in US defense strategy under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has increasingly focused on countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent visit to Asia, where he emphasized strengthening military alliances with countries like Japan and the Philippines, was seen as a direct challenge to Beijing. Analysts suggest that China’s exercises were partly a response to these developments, aimed at signaling its resolve to defend its territorial claims.
Rising Tensions in the Taiwan Strait
China’s military activities around Taiwan have become more frequent and assertive under President Xi Jinping’s leadership. The 2025 drills followed a series of incidents that escalated tensions, including Taiwan’s detention of a Chinese cargo ship crew accused of cutting undersea internet cables. President Lai has consistently advocated for Taiwan’s sovereignty, calling China a “foreign hostile force” and implementing measures to counter Chinese espionage and infiltration. Despite these tensions, Lai has also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
International Implications
The situation in the Taiwan Strait remains a potential flashpoint for conflict between China and the United States. While the US maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and is legally bound to provide it with defensive weapons, its policy of strategic ambiguity leaves open the question of whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese incursion. The 2025 drills underscore the growing complexity of the geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s assertiveness continues to challenge regional stability and international norms.