China massed more than 100 naval and coast guard vessels in the Western Pacific in early November, conducting unannounced exercises that officials in Taipei have described as a campaign of “silent intimidation” ahead of international meetings.
The mobilization involved coordinated naval forces from the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater Commands, according to security officials in Taipei cited by LBC.
The drills included simulated attacks on regional militaries and cities. They exceeded the scope of the “Justice Mission 2025” exercises held late last year.
Beijing’s maritime gray-zone pressure involves militia fishing boats operating alongside China Coast Guard ships off Taiwan’s eastern and southwestern coasts.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense recorded 49 sorties of Chinese aircraft that entered Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on 3 November, according to ThinkChina.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that Beijing was conducting “area denial” exercises in the Western Pacific involving the Liaoning aircraft carrier group, as reported by Modern Diplomacy.
“We are not happy to see any attempt to project deterrence that could undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” Koo said to reporters on 29 October, as noted by National Security News.
Koo added on 28 October that the simultaneous threat to Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines is obvious.
National Security Council head Joseph Wu reported on 3 November regarding the deployment of more than 100 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels near Taiwan, in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
The ministry recorded six Chinese naval vessels and six other official ships near the island on Tuesday, and it recorded seven warships and five official vessels on Wednesday.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War assessed in their 6 November update that the People’s Liberation Army might be “conducting a major, unannounced military exercise simulating surrounding and isolating Taiwan”, reported The Diplomat.
Analysts at the American Enterprise Institute joined the 6 November update.
The maneuvers coincide with preparations for the APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen, where US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet.
The total number of #PLA vessels across the #1stIslandChain has decreased, but the groups of Northern, Eastern & Southern Theater Commands plus #Liaoning carrier strike group remain operating in waters east of the #Philippines. #PLAAF was also active near #Taiwan today. pic.twitter.com/jX0D5KKIz1
The unannounced maneuvers prompted a response from the Group of Seven.
“China’s increasingly assertive activities in the waters east of Taiwan threaten regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of international shipping,” the G7 declaration said, as covered by ANI News.
The ministers reaffirmed their opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force, coercion, or the threat thereof.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded on Thursday.
Mao said that China’s position is consistent, clear, justified, and above-board.
Activities carried out in waters east of Taiwan fall within China’s exclusive economic zone, continental shelf, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, as reported by the Global Times.
Mao criticized the G7 for being stuck in the rut of bloc politics and urged the grouping to focus on its own business.
The #PRC is such a big bully. In addition to the high number of air sorties indicated earlier, the #PLAN & #CCG have also deployed 100+ vessels in the #WesternPacific as of now. #Taiwan is staying vigilant. We won’t provoke, but we won’t bow to any pressure. pic.twitter.com/gPOeDbz7mV
Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo welcomed the G7 declaration in Taipei.
Taiwan will continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities and cooperating with international partners, Kuo said, according to the Taipei Times.
The Chinese Communist Party’s state-backed newspaper, the Global Times, warned that if Taiwan’s ruling party persists in “seeking ‘independence by relying on external forces or military means,’ dragging the residents of Taiwan onto their war chariot, they will inevitably face a harsh reckoning”.