Overview

• China's military has launched large-scale exercises involving its army, navy, air force, and rocket units near Taiwan, practicing blockades of key areas and sea routes.
• Taiwan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the presence of 19 Chinese warships, including the aircraft carrier 'Shandong,' in its surrounding waters.
• China describes the exercises as a warning to Taiwan's 'separatist forces' against independence aspirations, emphasizing its sovereignty claims over the island.
• Taiwan condemned the drills as destabilizing and a threat to regional peace, with its government closely monitoring Chinese military activities.
• The United States reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan's defense, expressing concern over China's growing military assertiveness in the region.