China’s military has wrapped up two days of intense war games around Taiwan, marking a significant escalation in its ongoing military exercises in the region. The drills included long-range, live-fire operations in the East China Sea, showcasing China’s growing military presence near Taiwan.
The Eastern Theatre Command, overseeing the exercises, announced the completion of the drills late Wednesday. These operations were designed to test the military’s “integrated joint operations capabilities.” In a statement, the military emphasized that its forces remain on high alert, continuing to bolster combat readiness with more rigorous training to prevent any efforts aimed at “Taiwan independence.”
China’s rhetoric against Taiwan has also intensified. Following a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Asia, Beijing labeled Taiwan President Lai Ching-te a “parasite.” The Chinese government views Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly denounced President Lai as a “separatist.” Lai, however, has rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims, insisting that only Taiwan’s people can determine their future.
During the military exercise, known as Strait Thunder-2025A, China’s ground forces conducted precision live-fire drills targeting simulated key ports and energy facilities in the East China Sea, although the exact locations were not disclosed. These drills were seen as a display of China’s military capabilities, with videos showing rockets hitting land-based targets, and an animation depicting explosions over Taiwanese cities like Tainan, Hualien, and Taichung, which are key military and port hubs.
The drills caused some temporary market jitters in Taiwan, with the benchmark stock index dipping before recovering slightly. China’s Maritime Safety Administration also announced a closed shipping zone in the waters off Zhejiang province, located over 500 km from Taiwan. While Taiwan’s defense officials confirmed they did not observe live-fire drills in their immediate vicinity, tensions remain high as China continues to ramp up its military activities in the region.
