China Conducts Live-Fire Drills Near Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

 

China’s military has established a “live-fire training” zone approximately 46 miles (74 kilometers) off Taiwan’s southwestern coast, a move that Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned as provocative and a threat to international navigation.

This development comes just a day after Taiwan’s coast guard detained a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of cutting an undersea cable in the Taiwan Strait.

Military Activity in the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting 32 Chinese military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait starting shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Among them, 22 aircraft flew near the island’s northern and southwestern regions, carrying out a “joint combat readiness patrol” alongside Chinese warships.

The ministry strongly criticized China’s decision to unilaterally designate a drill zone without prior notice, stating it “blatantly violated international norms.” The designated zone is roughly 40 nautical miles off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, key locations for Taiwan’s commercial and military operations.

Kaohsiung, in particular, serves as Taiwan’s largest and busiest port, making the area strategically significant.

Concerns Over Regional Stability

China’s ruling Communist Party claims Taiwan as its territory, despite never having controlled it, and has repeatedly vowed to unify the self-governing democracy with the mainland, by force if necessary. Under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has escalated military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan.

Taiwan’s defense ministry warned that China’s decision to conduct live-fire drills in international shipping lanes threatens global aviation and maritime safety, calling it a “blatant provocation” against regional security.

Additionally, the ministry pointed to recent Chinese military activities—including live-fire drills near Australia—as evidence that China poses “the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.”

Live-Fire Drills Near Australia Raise Alarms

Last week, China’s navy conducted two live-fire exercises in waters between Australia and New Zealand, disrupting commercial flight routes and raising concerns in both countries. While officials acknowledged that the drills did not violate international law, they criticized Beijing for failing to provide sufficient advance notice.

Australian authorities first learned of the exercises from a commercial pilot who had received an emergency radio transmission from the Chinese military. In response, China insisted that it had issued proper safety notices and accused Australia of “hyping up” the situation.

Undersea Cable Incident Adds to Tensions

China’s latest military activity near Taiwan coincided with rising tensions over a damaged undersea communications cable, which Taiwan has accused Beijing of politicizing.

Beijing dismissed Taipei’s concerns, accusing Taiwan’s government of “political manipulation” regarding the incident. A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office argued that the facts had not been established and criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party for “exaggerating the situation.”

Taiwanese authorities, however, remain cautious. The cargo vessel suspected of severing the cable—a Togo-flagged ship crewed by eight Chinese nationals—had reportedly been loitering near the cable’s location since Saturday. It dropped anchor shortly before the disconnection was detected on Tuesday.

Taiwan’s coast guard has not ruled out the possibility of a Chinese “gray zone operation,” referring to covert actions designed to disrupt or weaken Taiwan without triggering open conflict.

Growing Fears Over Communication Disruptions

Suspicious damage to multiple undersea telecom cables in recent years has heightened concerns in Taiwan. Officials worry that such incidents could disrupt the island’s internet connectivity and hinder communication with the outside world in the event of a military blockade or invasion by China.

As tensions continue to escalate, Taiwan and its allies remain vigilant, monitoring China’s military movements and preparing for potential future provocations.