China launches military exercises around Taiwan
Updated: Apr 1st, 2025
China’s military announced on Tuesday that it has begun joint army, navy, and rocket forces exercises around Taiwan, further escalating tensions in the region. The Chinese military also took aim at Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, calling him a ‘parasite’ in a statement.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence condemned the actions, sharing details of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) movements near Taiwan. A statement from the ministry read, “We firmly oppose PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace. Standing guard at the forefront of freedom and democracy, we remain steadfast in defending our territorial sovereignty.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, PLA Navy vessels, led by the aircraft carrier Shandong, were first detected on March 29. These vessels were observed entering Taiwan’s zone yesterday. Taiwan’s defence officials confirmed the presence of 19 PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) ships operating around the island as of 6 am(UTC+8) on Tuesday. However, no PLA aircraft were detected in the area during this time.
Taiwan also labelled the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “greatest troublemaker” in the eyes of the international community due to its increased military activity in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Earlier, on March 30, Taiwan’s defence ministry had reported a sortie of PLA aircraft and the presence of seven PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan. One PLA aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan’s forces closely monitored the situation and responded accordingly.
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