China Concludes Live-Fire Drills Around Taiwan as Taipei Cites 130 Aircraft and Says Blockade Failed

Overview

• The PLA fired long-range rockets and held naval live-fire, anti-air and anti-submarine drills, publishing five danger zones and simulating port blockades at Keelung and Kaohsiung.
• Taiwan’s defense ministry reported about 130 Chinese military aircraft plus at least 14 warships and eight other government vessels operating around the island over 24 hours.
• Taipei condemned the exercises as intimidation, mobilized military and coastguard units for defensive maneuvers, and said aviation restrictions affected more than 850 flights and disrupted some shipping.
• A senior Taiwan intelligence official said the attempted blockade effectively did not occur, even as Chinese authorities said the drills achieved their intended effects.
• China cast the drills as a response to external interference and recent US arms sales, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi vowing firm countermeasures, while President Trump minimized the risk of a Chinese invasion.