China conducts military exercises in the Taiwan Strait

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China has announced that it has begun comprehensive military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, which is responsible for the region to which Taiwan belongs, stated that the exercises are being conducted under the name "Strait Storm 2025/A."

It was noted that the exercises are being carried out in the central and southern regions of the Taiwan Strait, with an emphasis on tactics such as identification and verification, warning and repulsion, intervention, and seizure. The Chinese military stated that the exercises aim to strengthen its military presence in the region and prepare for potential conflict scenarios.

EXERCISES CONTINUE AROUND TAIWAN

China had also announced yesterday that it had launched large-scale military exercises encircling Taiwan. It was reported that the drills, which involve land, sea, air, and rocket forces, are focused on scenarios such as "sea-air combat readiness patrols, achieving comprehensive superiority, strikes on land and sea targets, and the blockade of strategic areas."

In parallel with these exercises, the China Coast Guard also announced that it was conducting "law enforcement patrols" around Taiwan. It was stated that coast guard vessels were performing inspection, intervention, seizure, and arrest drills targeting vessels navigating without authorization.

TAIWANESE MILITARY ON ALERT

The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement on its X account that 76 Chinese military aircraft and 19 naval vessels were detected around Taiwan Island from yesterday evening until this morning.

According to the statement, 37 of the aircraft crossed the "median line" that separates the spheres of influence of the parties in the Taiwan Strait and flew within the "Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)" declared by Taiwan in the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern regions.

The ministry also noted that 15 warships belonging to the Chinese navy, as well as 4 official vessels estimated to belong to the Chinese coast guard, were operating around the island. It was stated that the Taiwanese military is closely monitoring developments and taking necessary precautions.

TENSIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN PERSIST

In recent years, China has increased military pressure on Taiwan, openly stating that it may use force if necessary for the island's reunification with the mainland. The Beijing administration asserts that it views the Taiwan Strait as its own territorial waters and considers the military presence of foreign countries in the region a threat to its sovereignty.

China held comprehensive military exercises around the island following the visit of then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in 2022, after the US contacts of Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen in 2023, and in May 2024, when the new leader Lai Ching-te took office.