China-Taiwan relations

Simulated port blockades – destroyers and bombers participate

The large military exercise that China has initiated around Taiwan will, among other things, involve simulated blockades of Taiwan's most important ports, writes AFP.

The exercise is being conducted with live ammunition and involves destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers and drones. It takes place just a few weeks after the United States, Taiwan's most important ally, approved a new arms deal to the self-governing territory.

Following the deal, China has also imposed sanctions on 20 American defense companies.

High alert in Taiwan during China's major exercise

Taiwan's military has been placed on high alert in connection with the Chinese military exercise around the self-governing island. This is what Taiwan's Ministry of Defense writes on X.

"The Chinese Communist Party's targeted military exercise further confirms its position as an aggressor and the biggest disturber of peace," it further states.

The Chinese exercise takes place after the US gave the go-ahead for a major arms deal to Taiwan and after Japanese President Sanae Takaichi said that Japan could act on Taiwan's side in the event of a conflict.

In a statement, Beijing says the exercise is a stark warning to separatists and "external forces." However, the US and Japan are not specifically mentioned.

Chinese exercise near Taiwan largest to date

The large Chinese military exercise outside Taiwan is the largest to date, Reuters reports. According to the news agency, the aim is to show that China can completely surround Taiwan and isolate the island from its allies.

During the exercise, Chinese forces have fired live rounds and simulated attacks on targets at sea and on land, as well as simulated blockades of Taiwan's largest ports.

The exercise is also taking place closer to the Taiwanese mainland than previous exercises.

Taiwan says it has spotted 89 Chinese military aircraft, 28 warships and coast guard vessels near Taiwan.