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Taiwan Mobilizes Military as China Launches Live-Fire Drills Near Its Coast.
On February 26, 2025, Taiwan deployed its land, naval, and air forces in response to live-fire military exercises conducted by China off its coast. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense condemned these maneuvers as a direct threat to regional security and a violation of international norms, as Beijing continues to increase military pressure on the island, which it claims as part of its territory. This latest escalation comes amid repeated Chinese air and maritime incursions around Taiwan, heightening uncertainty over the future of the strait.
Taiwanese forces deployed to monitor, alert, and respond as China conducts live-fire drills near the island (Picture source: Taiwanese MoD)
According to Taipei's official statement, China mobilized 32 military aircraft as part of a joint combat exercise involving warships. At the same time, Beijing announced live-fire drills in a zone approximately 40 nautical miles off southern Taiwan, near the waters of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, where key Taiwanese military bases are located. In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense ordered the deployment of surveillance and defense forces to "monitor, alert, and respond appropriately" to what it considers a violation of international regulations.
Taiwanese authorities condemned China's unilateral designation of a military exercise zone so close to its territory without prior warning, calling it a reckless act that endangers civilian and military navigation. In addition to the risks posed to maritime and air traffic, Taipei views this operation as a major provocation aimed at destabilizing the region. Later in the day, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Chinese forces had left the exercise area after several hours of activity but emphasized that the threat remains.
These exercises occur as Beijing strengthens its military presence across the Asia-Pacific region. Less than a week earlier, the People's Liberation Army had conducted live-fire drills off the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, prompting concerns from local authorities and forcing several commercial flights to alter their routes. This expansion of Chinese military activities signals an increasing effort to establish a dominant presence in the region.
Meanwhile, China continues to reinforce its discourse on reunification with Taiwan. The official Xinhua news agency reported that Wang Huning, a senior leader of the Chinese Communist Party, recently urged Chinese authorities to "firmly grasp the initiative in cross-strait relations and resolutely advance the cause of national reunification." These statements, combined with recent military actions, indicate a more assertive approach by Beijing to exert pressure on Taiwan.
In response to this growing challenge, the Taiwanese government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities. The Ministry of Defense stated that China’s policy, which claims to support "peaceful coexistence" with Taiwan, contradicts its actions, as military incursions into the island’s maritime and aerial zones continue to increase. Taipei interprets these maneuvers as attempts to intimidate its population and test the responsiveness of its armed forces.
Rising tensions around Taiwan remain a significant source of friction between China and the United States. While Washington maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity," it is legally bound by the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with the means to defend itself in the event of Chinese aggression. However, there remains uncertainty regarding whether the U.S. would directly intervene militarily in a potential conflict.
Amid this military and diplomatic standoff, Taipei continues to enhance its defense capabilities by modernizing its armed forces and strengthening strategic alliances. The situation in the Taiwan Strait remains highly volatile, with each new military maneuver increasing concerns over a potential confrontation between China and Taiwan.