Overview
- China’s Eastern Theater Command mobilized army, navy, air force and rocket force units, with live-fire exercises set Tuesday across five designated sea and air zones around Taiwan.
- Operational objectives include sea‑air combat readiness patrols, a blockade of key ports and areas, joint assaults from multiple directions and what the PLA calls all‑dimensional deterrence outside the island chain.
- Taiwan condemned the drills as military intimidation, saying it activated a response center, deployed appropriate forces and conducted a rapid response exercise.
- The maneuvers follow a U.S. arms sale to Taiwan worth about $11.1 billion and recent Japanese statements about potential involvement if China uses force against the island.
- Multiple outlets note this is the first recent round publicly framed to deter outside military intervention, with temporary 10‑hour restrictions posted for the live‑fire windows.