Taiwan has launched a 10-day series of military drills aimed at strengthening its defensive capabilities in the face of growing Chinese military threats and frequent harassment by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The exercises, which began on Monday, are being conducted across multiple locations on the island, including coastal regions, urban centres, and key strategic installations.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said the drills are designed to simulate real combat conditions, test command structures, and improve coordination between ground, naval, and air forces, amid what it describes as unrelenting pressure from Beijing.

Rising Chinese Threats and PLA Activity

These latest exercises come at a time of intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait, with China stepping up military sorties, naval patrols, and grey-zone tactics intended to wear down Taiwan’s defences.

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has repeatedly flown large numbers of warplanes into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), forcing the island’s forces to scramble interceptors and activate early warning systems.

Similarly, the PLA Navy has been conducting frequent patrols and live-fire exercises in the waters around Taiwan, sending clear signals of military coercion.

Taiwanese officials have characterised these moves as harassment and intimidation, aimed at testing the island’s defences and undermining public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its people.

Drill Objectives and Scope

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND), the 10-day exercise will include a variety of scenarios, such as:

• Repelling amphibious landings along vulnerable coastal zones.

• Defending critical infrastructure and urban centres from missile strikes and special forces incursions.

• Coordinating joint operations among the army, navy, and air force.

• Testing reserve mobilisation and civil defence capabilities.

Military spokespersons emphasised that the drills are not just about symbolic shows of strength but are intended to refine Taiwan’s actual warfighting readiness.

They include live-fire training, tactical manoeuvres, command post simulations, and civilian emergency response drills.

Context of Rising Tensions

Relations between Taiwan and China have sharply deteriorated over the past few years.

Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary, while Taiwan’s democratically elected government insists on its sovereign status.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly vowed to pursue “reunification”, calling it an “inevitable historical mission”, while warning other countries—particularly the United States—against interfering.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased military cooperation with Taiwan, including arms sales, training exchanges, and high-level diplomatic visits.

This has further angered Beijing, which accuses Washington of emboldening Taiwanese separatism and destabilising the region.

Taiwan’s Response and Defence Strategy

Taiwan has responded to these threats by ramping up its own military modernisation efforts, increasing defence spending, and refining its asymmetric warfare strategy.

Under its “Overall Defense Concept” (ODC), Taiwan seeks to make any attempted invasion by the PLA costly and difficult, relying on a mix of mobile missile systems, naval mines, fast attack craft, and anti-air defences.

Taiwanese officials have repeatedly said that they do not seek war but will defend their freedom and democratic way of life if attacked.

President Tsai Ing-wen has warned that Chinese aggression threatens not just Taiwan but regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, calling on like-minded democracies to support Taiwan’s security.

Civilian Preparedness and Society’s Role

Alongside military training, Taiwan has also been investing in civilian preparedness, recognising that modern conflicts are likely to involve not only conventional warfare but also cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic coercion.

The government has run civil defence drills that teach civilians how to respond to missile strikes, shelter in place, and coordinate with emergency services.

Local governments have upgraded emergency alert systems, while schools and workplaces have incorporated disaster preparedness training.

Taiwanese society has broadly supported these initiatives, reflecting growing awareness of the threat posed by Beijing and a determination to resist coercion.

International Reactions

Taiwan’s allies, particularly the United States, Japan, and some European countries, have expressed concern over China’s military pressure and called for peaceful resolution of cross-strait differences.

The U.S. has maintained its policy of strategic ambiguity, selling advanced weapons systems to Taiwan while avoiding explicit commitments to defend the island.

However, in recent years, some American officials have signalled that any Chinese invasion would be met with serious consequences, raising the stakes of potential conflict.

Meanwhile, China has dismissed Taiwan’s drills as provocative, accusing the island’s government of seeking foreign interference and escalating tensions deliberately.

Chinese state media have described Taiwan’s leadership as separatists who risk “playing with fire.”

PLA's Strategy and Future Scenarios

Military analysts note that the PLA’s strategy appears to focus on gradually eroding Taiwan’s readiness through constant pressure while building the capability for a rapid, overwhelming invasion if ordered.

The PLA has invested heavily in amphibious assault ships, advanced fighter jets, missile systems, and cyber warfare units—all designed to ensure quick victory and minimal foreign intervention.

Taiwanese planners, in response, stress the need to maintain constant vigilance, improve early warning capabilities, and strengthen alliances with other democracies.

They see exercises like the current 10-day drills as vital for deterring aggression by showing Beijing that Taiwan is prepared and willing to fight if necessary.

Domestic Politics and Public Opinion

Within Taiwan, the drills also carry political significance ahead of upcoming elections, with both the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and opposition parties attempting to shape public perceptions of the China threat.

While most Taiwanese voters support maintaining the status quo—de facto independence without formal declaration—there is widespread mistrust of Beijing’s intentions.

Polls indicate strong support for increased defence spending, closer ties with the U.S., and improved civilian preparedness measures.

Government officials say the current exercises are part of a long-term strategy to ensure Taiwan can “fight and win” if attacked, though they emphasise that deterrence and diplomacy remain key goals.

Conclusion

Taiwan’s 10-day military drills reflect a serious and evolving security strategy in the face of unrelenting Chinese military pressure and PLA harassment.

These exercises aim not only to improve the island’s ability to resist invasion but also to send a clear message to Beijing and the international community that Taiwan will defend its democracy and sovereignty.

As cross-strait tensions remain high, the drills are both a military necessity and a political statement, highlighting Taiwan’s determination to stand firm even as it seeks peaceful solutions to avoid war.

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