China’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed on June 25, 2026, that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintains a state of high alert as regional military exercises intensify. Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang characterized Taiwan’s five-day “immediate combat readiness drills,” which began June 22, by stating that “靠軍演壯膽換不來真正安全” (relying on military exercises to bolster courage cannot bring real security). This comes as the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian completed a transit through the Taiwan Strait on June 23, an action Beijing termed a routine training mission, while international forces participate in the “Valiant Shield” and “RIMPAC” exercises.
Why Are Military Exercises Increasing in the Taiwan Strait?
Military activity has spiked due to a convergence of international and domestic training schedules. According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the PLA views its activities around Taiwan as “合理合法、光明正大” (reasonable, legal, and open). Conversely, Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated on June 24 that the island’s current immediate combat readiness drills focus on rapid response and rapid combat readiness preparation to respond to possible unexpected situations. Koo noted that these drills are designed to verify command-and-control systems and ensure the military can execute “kill chain” operations.
Did you know? The 2026 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which launched on June 24, includes 31 participating nations. The coalition is involved in addressing gray-zone threats, potential opponents, and authoritarian expansion.
How Do Regional Drills Compare to Previous Years?
The current landscape of regional security is defined by simultaneous, large-scale training events. The U.S.-Japan “Valiant Shield” exercise, which commenced June 22, has expanded to include Australian forces. This occurs alongside the “Resolute Dragon” exercise, which Japan and the U.S. launched on June 20 to focus on the defense of Japan’s southwestern islands and joint operations involving islands. Beijing frames these as provocative, while the PLA maintains a persistent deployment of assets, such as the WZ-10 drone, near Taiwan’s maritime and air borders.
Operational Differences in Recent Maneuvers
- PLA Strategy: Beijing maintains that transits like the Fujian’s June 23 passage are “routine,” yet Taiwan’s military reports reveal they are using joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to monitor these movements in real-time.
- Taiwanese Strategy: The focus has shifted toward decentralized defense, ensuring the military can execute command and combat capabilities, as confirmed by Minister Koo.
What Is the Impact of the Fujian’s Recent Deployment?
The transit of the aircraft carrier Fujian on June 23 provided a look at the platform’s current status. Taiwan’s military released surveillance imagery showing the carrier’s deck empty of aircraft during its passage through the Taiwan Strait. While Beijing insists this is part of routine training, the disclosure of the imagery by Taiwan highlights the use of joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance手段 to monitor the movement.
Pro Tip: When monitoring regional security updates, look for distinctions between “routine training” claims and “combat readiness” reports. Official government statements often use these terms to signal intent to domestic audiences rather than solely describing tactical reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Taiwan initiate “immediate combat readiness” drills?
According to Defense Minister Wellington Koo, the exercises are intended to test the military’s ability to respond rapidly to unexpected situations and to validate decentralized command structures.
How does China respond to international military exercises near its borders?
Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that the PLA remains on high alert and views the exercises as “deliberate tension-building” by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan.
What is the significance of the Fujian’s transit?
The transit is viewed by Beijing as a routine training evolution. Taiwan’s military monitors these transits using joint ISR to ensure comprehensive awareness of PLA naval movements in the Taiwan Strait.
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