China has launched a large-scale military exercise around Taiwan, signalling a "stern warning" to separatist forces on the self-governed island.
The move comes following an official address by Taiwanese President William Lai, in which he vowed to resist any attempts by Beijing to annex Taiwan.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command released a video showcasing a display of military might, including warships, fighter jets, armoured vehicles, missile launchers, and amphibious landing craft.
Chinese authorities described these drills as a rehearsal for a potential coordinated assault on Taiwan, practising multi-directional attacks.
The Taiwanese government condemned the military drills as provocative.
In response, Taiwan's military released a video demonstrating their preparedness in case of a Chinese invasion. Despite the heightened tensions, Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation reported that air traffic and port operations remained unaffected.
On Sunday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence announced that it was "on alert" after detecting a Chinese naval carrier group near the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines. The carrier group, led by the Liaoning, is expected to enter the Western Pacific.
China has long sought to incorporate Taiwan into the mainland, but the United States and its Western allies have vowed to support Taiwan in the event of a potential conflict with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Meanwhile, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed the need for an agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea during a recent meeting to prevent disputes between member nations. Tensions have been rising between China and its neighbours, particularly in the South China Sea.
The South China Sea, a vital trade route through which $3 trillion worth of goods pass annually, has become a major point of contention between China and ASEAN nations such as the Philippines and Vietnam. The ASEAN statement noted "positive momentum" in discussions on the code of conduct, which was first agreed upon with China in 2002 but only formally began negotiations in 2017.
China has adopted an aggressive stance, claiming most of the islands in the South China Sea, a claim disputed by both the Philippines and Vietnam. They reject Beijing’s assertions, arguing that Taiwan is independent, and thus China has no legal or moral authority over the disputed territories.
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