China’s military conducted large-scale live-fire exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, significantly escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and drawing sharp reactions from Taipei. The drills involved coordinated operations across multiple sea and air zones surrounding the island, underscoring Beijing’s growing military pressure on Taiwan. According to the People’s Liberation Army, the exercises were carried out by units from the army, navy, air force and rocket force, focusing on joint combat readiness, sea-air patrols and simulated blockade operations. Chinese authorities imposed temporary restrictions on airspace and maritime traffic in the designated exercise areas, warning civilian vessels and aircraft to stay clear.

Beijing said the drills were intended to serve as a strong warning against what it described as “separatist activities” in Taiwan and foreign interference in China’s internal affairs. Chinese military officials reiterated that the exercises were a legitimate and necessary response to what they view as provocations challenging China’s sovereignty. Taiwan strongly condemned the military action, calling it destabilising and a threat to regional peace. The island’s defence ministry said its armed forces were placed on heightened alert, closely monitoring Chinese movements and carrying out appropriate response measures to safeguard national security.

The latest drills come amid rising regional tensions following increased diplomatic and military engagement between Taiwan and its international partners. China has repeatedly objected to such interactions, accusing external powers of encouraging independence sentiment in Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan, however, maintains that it is a self-governed democracy and rejects China’s sovereignty claims. The exercises mark another escalation in a series of military demonstrations that have intensified in recent years, raising concerns among regional and global observers about the risk of miscalculation in the strategically vital Taiwan Strait.