Taiwan’s defense ministry reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity near the island on Wednesday but confirmed that no live-fire drills were observed in the designated exercise zone off its southwestern coast. The Chinese military had earlier announced a “shooting” drill zone in the Taiwan Strait, near the cities of Kaohsiung and Pingtung. Taiwan’s government condemned the move, calling it provocative and a threat to both commercial aviation and maritime traffic, especially since no prior warning was issued. China has not yet commented on the matter.

According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, 45 Chinese aircraft and 14 naval vessels were detected operating around the island, with seven ships stationed within the drill zone, located approximately 40 nautical miles from Taiwan. The designated area, as per the ministry's map, extends 70 nautical miles in length and 20 nautical miles in width, though it remains outside Taiwan’s territorial waters.

No Signs of Live-Fire Drills: Senior Taiwanese officials, speaking anonymously, stated that no live ammunition was used during the exercises and that the situation had not escalated further. They likened China’s military maneuvers to recent drills in the South China Sea and near Australia, noting that China often conducts exercises without proper notification.

One official remarked that such unannounced drills were “extremely rare and beyond general expectations.” The democratic allies, the official added, are discussing risk management strategies to safeguard regional stability. Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned China’s actions, calling it the “biggest troublemaker” in the region and urging the international community to remain vigilant about the security of the Taiwan Strait.

U.S. Response and China's Upcoming Parliamentary Meeting: While U.S. President Donald Trump declined to comment on the possibility of China taking Taiwan by force, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s longstanding commitment to opposing any coercive change in Taiwan’s status. He emphasized that the U.S. has measures in place to prevent such an outcome and that China is well aware of these commitments.

Meanwhile, China is set to hold its annual parliamentary session next week, during which it will announce its defense budget. March also marks the 20th anniversary of China’s "anti-secession law," which allows the use of force against Taiwan under certain conditions. Taiwanese officials are closely monitoring the situation, given the timing of these developments. A senior Taiwanese official expressed concern that China’s recent military actions were unnecessarily escalating tensions. “This level of intimidation serves no purpose and does not contribute to stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the official said.

Taiwan Detains Chinese Cargo Ship: In a separate incident, Taiwanese authorities detained a Chinese-linked cargo vessel suspected of damaging an undersea communication cable. The ship’s Chinese captain was taken into custody, while the rest of the crew has been barred from leaving Taiwan. China dismissed the allegations, arguing that undersea cables worldwide are often damaged accidentally. However, Taiwan remains cautious, viewing the incident within the broader context of rising tensions in the region.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file.