China Intensifies Military Drills Near Taiwan, Targeting Key Infrastructure

Live-Fire Exercises Simulate Blockade and Precision Strikes, Raising Regional Tensions

China's military has escalated its exercises near Taiwan, conducting "live-fire" drills aimed at simulating attacks on key ports and energy sites. The drills, dubbed "Strait Thunder-2025A," are taking place in the Taiwan Strait, a critical waterway for global shipping.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced that the exercises focus on "blockade and control, and precision strikes on key targets," according to Senior Colonel Shi Yi (施毅), spokesman of the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) of Taiwan responded to the drills by activating an emergency operations center and deploying military assets, including aircraft, vessels, and coastal missile systems. Taiwan's military is actively monitoring Chinese forces and prepared to adjust its combat readiness based on the perceived threat.

The US Department of State has condemned Beijing's actions, stating that its "aggressive" military activities and rhetoric "only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region's security and the world's prosperity at risk."

These exercises follow a day of similar operations involving China's army, navy, air force, and rocket forces. Taipei has responded with air and maritime forces as part of a "rapid response exercise."

In the 24 hours leading up to this morning, China deployed 95 aircraft and warships around Taiwan, including 15 navy vessels and four official ships. Of the 76 aircraft detected, 37 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the nation’s air defense identification zones (ADIZ).

The MND also reported that the PLA's Shandong aircraft carrier was operating approximately 220 nautical miles (407km) southeast of Taiwan. Between 10am and 4:20pm, 14 Chinese fighter aircraft and helicopters were detected southeast of Taiwan, outside the ADIZ.

Analyst Sung Wen-ti (宋文笛) suggests that China is conducting "stress test after stress test" to assess the level of US support for Taiwan and its allies.

The recent drills are reminiscent of the "Joint Sword" exercises in 2024, which also followed the inauguration of President William Lai (賴清德). The Joint Sword-2024A drills occurred from May 23 to 24, while the Joint Sword-2024B drills were held from October 14 to 15.