China has launched large-scale joint military exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket force around Taiwan, as a “stern warning” to the island’s government, officials say. The exercises, which began on Tuesday, include drills to test joint operations capabilities of troops, and have been described by Beijing as a legitimate action to safeguard China’s sovereignty.
The military exercises come as US President Donald Trump has shifted Washington’s global relationships with his “America First” foreign policy, and amid concerns over US-China trade talks. Taiwan officials have condemned the exercises as “reckless” and “irresponsible”, saying they violate international laws and are unacceptable.
Chinese coast guard vessels have also been spotted in waters surrounding Taiwan, carrying out law-enforcement patrols and intercepting unauthorized vessels. The drills follow a series of incidents that have ratcheted up tensions across the Taiwan Strait, including Taipei’s detention of a Chinese cargo ship crew.
The exercises are part of a broader assertiveness by China’s military under leader Xi Jinping, who has ramped up regular patrols and military exercises in the air and waters around Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as a territory to be reclaimed, and has repeatedly accused its leaders of seeking independence.
Taiwan remains a potential flashpoint for conflict between China and the United States, with Washington maintaining unofficial relations with Taipei and bound by law to provide it with defense aid.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/31/china/china-taiwan-military-drills-hnk-intl/index.html