Overview
- China’s Eastern Theater Command said the exercises featured live fire, missile deployments, combat aircraft, navy ships and coast guard units around the island.
- Taiwan condemned the maneuvers as highly provocative and reckless, saying they failed to impose a blockade of its ports.
- Taiwan’s coast guard kept 11 vessels on station as some Chinese ships lingered outside the 24‑nautical‑mile line, according to official statements.
- Chinese government spokesperson Zhang Han called the drills a severe warning to pro‑independence forces and to foreign interference, vowing firm countermeasures.
- The drills followed a US‑approved arms sale to Taiwan valued at over $11 billion, and President Lai Ching‑te warned of risks to shipping, trade and international stability.