Overview

• China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan, code-named 'Strait Thunder-2025A,' involving coordinated air, naval, and rocket operations focused on blockades and precision strikes.
• Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported tracking 19 Chinese navy vessels, including the Shandong aircraft carrier, and activated its defenses in response to the exercises.
• The drills follow Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's recent labeling of China as a 'foreign hostile force' and his measures to counter Beijing's influence, which Beijing condemned as separatist provocations.
• China's propaganda campaign accompanying the drills includes personal attacks on President Lai, depicting him as a 'parasite,' and emphasizes its opposition to Taiwan's independence.
• The United States criticized China's actions as destabilizing and reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, while warning against unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.