China’s military conducted mass live-fire exercises off the coast of Taiwan, revealing a menacing poster called “Paralysing Strikes” in a new show of force as tensions in the region continue to rise.
The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command said on Wednesday the latest drills were part of its “Strait Thunder 2025A” exercises, leaving open the potential for greater maneuvers under a “B” phase. The drills included the Shandong aircraft carrier battle group, practicing attacks against ground and naval targets east of Taiwan. The drills were aimed at air dominance, ship-aircraft coordination, and precision attacks, a PLA statement said.
China’s state-owned Global Times reported that the recently released military poster bore the caption, “Against the tide of history. Heading for a dead end,” indicating a warning to Taiwan and its Western supporters. This came after a previous video showed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as a “parasite” and was held by chopsticks and set over a burning Taiwan.
Eastern Theatre Command spokesperson Senior Colonel Shi Yi said the exercises, which were held in the central and southern parts of the Taiwan Strait, involved training exercises like inspections, warning and expelling intruders, and taking control of key points. Although China asserted the exercises were aimed at port and energy installations, no targeted locations were announced.
The war exercises overlap with the visit to Asia by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in which he reaffirmed Washington’s intention of responding to Beijing’s threat to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported 76 Chinese aircraft and 15 warships operating in the area surrounding the island in the last 24 hours. In addition, more than 10 Chinese warships intruded in Taiwan’s “response zone” on Wednesday, and the Chinese coast guard performed “harassment drills,” said an unnamed Taiwanese security official.
China is likely to execute a second round of drills, by following the example of last year’s “Joint Sword” war games, according to experts. Security officials in Taiwan claim Beijing is trying to normalize its military presence off the island, with operations being halted every 7-10 days.
Since 1949, Taiwan has been a de facto self-ruling government, notwithstanding Beijing’s protest that it is Chinese territory. Although both sides have shunned direct military confrontations, recent exercises underscore the ever-present danger of invasion.