China drills east of Taiwan

China’s People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command conducted naval and air drills east of Taiwan, centering on all-dimensional force projection, elite-force breaching and raids, and seizure of key ports, the theater command said. Task forces from the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan—operating alongside destroyers, frigates and unmanned aerial vehicles—carried out joint exercises aimed at testing task-force coordination, systemic operations and precision strikes on designated targets. The PLA described the maneuvers as routine training under annual plans to assess joint combat capabilities, maritime maneuvers, troop deployment and integrated operations, and said they were not aimed at any specific target.

Analysts note the Hainan’s participation underscores Beijing’s emphasis on amphibious and joint-operation capabilities that would be central in any Taiwan contingency; the ship, designed to carry helicopters, landing craft and large numbers of troops, has drawn attention during prior high-profile exercises. Taiwan’s defense ministry said it is closely monitoring the movements, has taken measures to safeguard the island’s security, and remains on alert and capable of responding to threats. Taiwanese officials have warned that frequent PLA drills raise the risk of miscalculation and elevate regional tensions.

The drills come amid an environment of intensified military activity around Taiwan driven in part by high-level contacts between the island and Western governments, which China views as provocations. Beijing continues to assert that Taiwan is part of its territory and has not ruled out force to achieve unification; Taipei rejects those claims and insists its future is for its people to decide. Regional analysts say that while China frames such exercises as routine, their scale and frequency serve to normalize a sustained and more sophisticated military presence near Taiwan, maintaining pressure and signaling Beijing’s resolve. International actors have reiterated calls for restraint and dialogue, warning that persistent military activity in the area risks broader regional instability and global security implications.