China’s military intensified pressure on Taiwan on Tuesday by carrying out live-fire exercises near the island for a second consecutive day, deepening regional tensions and drawing renewed international attention to Beijing’s growing military assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait.
The drills, led by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), involved coordinated operations by naval vessels, combat aircraft, and missile units operating in waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan. Chinese authorities said the exercises were designed to test combat readiness and joint operational capabilities, including precision strikes and maritime control.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, multiple Chinese aircraft and warships were detected operating close to the island, prompting heightened monitoring by Taiwanese forces. Officials in Taipei described the exercises as destabilising and warned that repeated military pressure increases the risk of miscalculation in one of Asia’s most sensitive security corridors.
Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its sovereign territory and has repeatedly used military drills to underscore its opposition to what it calls separatist activity and foreign interference. Chinese officials characterised the live-fire component of the drills as a necessary deterrent, particularly amid ongoing security cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
The second day of exercises reportedly focused on scenarios involving sea-lane control and simulated blockade operations, signalling Beijing’s ability to restrict access to and from the island in a crisis. Aviation authorities in the region issued notices to airmen, and some civilian flight routes were adjusted as a precaution.
International reaction has been cautious but concerned. The United States and several regional partners reiterated calls for restraint, stressing that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are vital to global trade and security. Analysts note that while such drills have become more frequent, the inclusion of sustained live-fire elements reflects a notable escalation in military signalling.
Taiwanese leaders have reaffirmed that the island will not provoke conflict but will maintain a strong defensive posture. As the drills continue, observers say the episode highlights the increasingly militarised nature of cross-strait relations and the challenge of preventing confrontation amid intensifying strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific.
References
Reuters. (2025). China launches live-fire drills around Taiwan in second day of exercises.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-launches-live-firing-drills-around-taiwan-its-biggest-war-games-date-2025-12-30/
Associated Press. (2025). China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan during military drills.
https://apnews.com/article/cd6600c23c206385822c733dc2016217
PBS NewsHour. (2025). China conducts live-fire show of force near Taiwan.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/china-unleashes-live-fire-show-of-force-near-taiwan-on-second-day-of-military-drills
Taiwan Ministry of National Defense. (2025). Daily PLA activity updates.
https://www.mnd.gov.tw
U.S. Department of Defense. (2025). Indo-Pacific security statements.
https://www.defense.gov
