Taiwan-China Relations

Taiwan Condemns Surprise Chinese Military Exercises

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By Klein Wang/Lery Hiciano

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Taiwan's government has condemned China’s latest military drills in waters surrounding the country, one day after President Lai Ching‑te addressed the dangers posed by Beijing and the need to strengthen Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.

**Chinese Military Drills: Taiwan Responds as Beijing Holds Large-scale Exercises**

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan has deployed ships and jets to respond to a surge in Chinese military activity around the country. China has designated five restricted zones around Taiwan as part of drills it’s calling “Justice Mission 2025.”

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan is condemning the move as an irrational provocation. The defense ministry expresses its strong condemnation and has established an emergency response center, dispatching forces to carry out response operations.

 

REPORTER:  

A Chinese military spokesperson said the drills are a “serious warning” to what it calls “Taiwan independence activists” and “external interference forces.” Beijing says its combat-readiness exercises will start Tuesday morning, in several areas around Taiwan — including off the port of Keelung. The drills will be the fourth targeting Taiwan since President Lai took office last May, and the sixth since then-US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited in 2022.

 

Taiwan’s defense ministry frames these drills as pressure tactics, and the presidential office has accused China of blatantly disregarding international norms and using military force to intimidate its neighbors.

 

All this comes a day after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called for increased investment in defense amid rising threats from China during a TV interview.

 

Lai Ching-te (PRESIDENT):  

So far [China] does not possess the capability [to invade]. But we cannot become complacent. We must continue to strengthen our defensive capabilities and improve our “porcupine” strategy to deter them.

 

REPORTER:  

Lai has been pushing the opposition-controlled legislature to approve a 40 billion US dollar special defense budget announced in late November. He’s warning of the growing threat from China, citing the uptick in efforts to intimidate Taiwan.

 

REPORTER:  

The latest drills come amid rising regional tensions between China and Japan, and in the South China Sea. With Beijing once again using military exercises to push its claim over Taiwan, the region is watching closely to see how Taipei responds to the growing pressure.