China Conducts Major Military Exercises Near Taiwan, Escalating Tensions

Taiwan reports 19 Chinese warships, including the aircraft carrier 'Shandong,' as part of coordinated drills simulating blockades and asserting sovereignty claims.

China's military has launched large-scale exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket units near Taiwan, practicing blockades of key areas and sea routes.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the presence of 19 Chinese warships, including the aircraft carrier 'Shandong,' in its surrounding waters.
China describes the exercises as a warning to Taiwan's 'separatist forces' against independence aspirations, emphasizing its sovereignty claims over the island.
Taiwan condemned the drills as destabilizing and a threat to regional peace, with its government closely monitoring Chinese military activities.
The United States reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan's defense, expressing concern over China's growing military assertiveness in the region.