Taiwan Monitors China’s Big Military Drills in East China Sea
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence announced that it is closely monitoring large-scale military drills conducted by China’s People’s Liberation Army in the East China Sea. These exercises, which involve sea trials of new weapons, have prompted navigation warnings and airspace restrictions in the region.
The Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation warning for specified coordinates at the Qiantang River estuary. From 4 am on Wednesday (July 3) to 6 pm on Friday (July 5), live-fire military exercises are being carried out, and entry is prohibited during this period.
Vietnamese journalist Duan Dong described the exercises as ‘large-scale,’ noting that the southernmost point of the prohibited zone is less than 100 nautical miles from northwest Taiwan. The Ministry of National Defence said it is monitoring the exercises and sea trials of new weapons.
Former Taiwan Navy captain Lu Li-shih revealed that China’s Fujian aircraft carrier is set to undergo its third round of sea trials. The focus of these exercises will be addressing shortcomings identified during the previous trial and practicing dual-ship operations with the Type 901 fast combat support ship, Hulunhu (965). Carrier-based aircraft will perform ‘touch and go’ maneuvers, with actual landings likely scheduled for the next phase.
Earlier, the Ministry of National Defence reported detecting 30 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan. Of the 30 aircraft, 19 had crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ). This incident adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months.
China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island. Taiwan has been governed independently of China since 1949, but China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
