BEIJING/TAIPEI, May 28: China launched large scale military exercises near Taiwan, involving fighter aircraft, naval warships and missile units, in a move that heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese military described the drills as a warning against “separatist activities” and foreign interference in Taiwan-related matters. The exercises included simulated blockade operations and coordinated air-sea combat manoeuvres.
Taiwan strongly condemned the military action and said its armed forces remained on high alert. Taiwanese officials accused Beijing of attempting to intimidate the island’s democratic government and disrupt regional peace.
The United States expressed concern over the exercises and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Washington urged all parties to avoid actions that could increase tensions or trigger miscalculations.
Regional allies including Japan and Australia also monitored the situation closely, fearing the impact of any military confrontation on global trade and regional security.
Experts believe the Taiwan issue remains one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints in international diplomacy, with increasing strategic competition between China and the United States shaping developments in the Indo-Pacific.