Beijing Resumes Chinese Military Drills Around Taiwan to Show Who’s Boss in the Area

Source: YouTube

Yesterday, Beijing launched large-scale Chinese military drills around Taiwan in a show of force that simulated attacks and maritime blockades. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said its drills were a response to what it called provocations by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, who had earlier labeled China a “foreign hostile force.” The exercises involved coordinated sea-air combat patrols and simulated control over key sea lanes, with Taiwan’s military reporting the presence of 19 PLA ships and numerous aircraft in the area.

The drills mark an aggressive turn following the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Indo-Pacific. A Washington Post report revealed that Hegseth’s new Pentagon guidance reorients U.S. military strategy to prioritize deterring China from seizing Taiwan. This is now the Pentagon’s top pacing scenario. While previous administrations emphasized global alliances, Hegseth’s strategy urges U.S. forces to assume greater risks elsewhere to focus on Taiwan’s defense.

Taiwan Responds as U.S. Influence is Tested

Taiwan, home to 23 million people, has remained self-governed for decades despite Beijing’s claim over the island. In recent years, Taiwan has significantly boosted its defense capabilities, but China’s latest actions have raised fears of a blockade or invasion. The Chinese military drills around Taiwan, described as routine by mainland officials, now appear to be transitioning into normalized military pressure.

Taiwanese defense forces scrambled aircraft, ships, and coastal missile systems in response to the drills. A series of propaganda videos released by China’s military portrayed Taiwan’s president as a cartoon parasite and called for national unity through force if necessary. This aggressive rhetoric coincides with Beijing’s broader campaign of military intimidation in the South China Sea and near U.S. allies such as Japan and the Philippines.

Taipei’s defense ministry called the Chinese military drills around Taiwan a blatant provocation. It warned that Beijing’s actions not only threatened their sovereignty but also disrupted the broader international order in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwanese officials noted that the PLA’s use of both military and paramilitary forces, including the coast guard and converted civilian vessels, could signal new hybrid warfare tactics.

Washington’s Calculated Shift Toward Asia

The Chinese military drills around Taiwan come at a critical juncture for Washington’s foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Defense Secretary Hegseth’s recently leaked Pentagon memo outlines a major shift in priorities: minimizing U.S. presence in Europe and the Middle East to focus almost entirely on deterring China. U.S. allies are being asked to shoulder more defense responsibilities while the U.S. reinforces its presence in the Pacific with submarines, unmanned vessels, and long-range precision weapons.

The memo stresses that any defense strategy must assume a Chinese military move on Taiwan, elevating the island to a top-tier defense objective. According to the new doctrine, counterterrorism and even traditional NATO obligations will take a backseat to this mission. For the first time, the U.S. military is explicitly structured around preventing a fait accompli attack by Beijing.

Although this posture may reassure Taiwan, it also raises global concerns about America’s bandwidth to respond to other crises. Some officials in Taipei remain unsure about the strength of U.S. commitments, especially following the chaotic February meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky.

How Far Will China Push?

Many experts see the Chinese military drills around Taiwan as more than just the usual show-of-force exercises. They are part of a larger campaign by Beijing to normalize its presence around the island and slowly change the status quo. Analysts say China is likely trying to erode Taiwan’s defenses and willpower through consistent pressure, setting the stage for potential escalation later this year.

President Lai has pledged to boost defense spending above 3% of Taiwan’s GDP, responding directly to the growing threat. In contrast, China has portrayed the island’s leadership as dangerous and illegitimate. However, the PLA’s latest moves show that any diplomatic gestures from Taiwan are unlikely to deter Beijing’s ambitions.

These developments are a wake-up call not only for Taiwan but for the international community. U.S. investors, defense analysts, and allies across Asia will be watching closely to see whether America’s new strategy truly signals a credible deterrent or a risky overextension.

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