China’s Military Surrounds Taiwan in High-Stakes War Games

On Monday, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) launched military drills encircling Taiwan, a move seen as an attempt to pressure Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

According to Japan’s NHK and The Nikkei, the Chinese military initiated military exercises that effectively surrounded Taiwan. The PLA designated the Taiwan Strait, the northern and southern areas of Taiwan’s main island, and the seas around the offshore islands in western Taiwan as training zones. This marks the first large-scale military exercise by the Chinese military in waters surrounding Taiwan since May. During the earlier exercises, drills were conducted for two days around five locations near Taiwan’s main island and smaller islands without prior notice.

The PLA deployed ground, naval, and air forces and the Rocket Force, which operates nuclear and missile systems. The military exercises include simulating blockades of major ports and conducting attacks on maritime and land-based targets. The Chinese military stated that the drills aim to test the troops’ integrated combat readiness.

Kyodo News suggested that this military exercise likely responds to Lai’s speech on Taiwan’s National Day (October 10), in which he reiterated his refusal to accept the One China principle. Lai’s comments, stating that the People’s Republic of China does not have the right to represent Taiwan, provoked strong reactions from Beijing. Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that Taiwan is a sacred part of China’s territory and that the reunification of the motherland is an inevitable historical trend and a just cause.

A Chinese military spokesperson described the exercises as a warning to Taiwan’s pro-independence forces, calling the drills necessary to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

There had been speculation that China might carry out military exercises on Taiwan’s National Day itself, but no action was taken then. Some believe the drills were postponed due to Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s participation in international events, including the ASEAN Summit in Southeast Asia.

Taiwan reacted immediately. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense issued a statement condemning the irrational and provocative actions, emphasizing that they would take concrete measures to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), maintaining a state of heightened alert.