^{This undated handout photo released by the Taiwan Defense Ministry on September 13, 2023 shows Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong (L) while being monitored by a Taiwanese Keelung class warship at sea. © Ministry of Defense in Taiwan via AFP}

The United States has reiterated its unwavering commitment to Taiwan as China extends its most extensive military exercises in the East China Sea to a second day. The large-scale drills, involving air, naval, and missile forces, come as a stern warning from Beijing amid rising cross-strait tensions.

Washington Condemns Beijing’s Military Maneuvers

In a strong statement issued Tuesday evening, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized America's firm support for Taiwan.

“In the face of China’s intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior, the United States’ enduring commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues,” Bruce said. The State Department condemned Beijing’s actions, stating that China’s aggressive rhetoric and military posturing “exacerbate tensions and jeopardize regional and global security.”

The Biden administration has reaffirmed that it opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion.

China’s Largest Military Exercises Since 2024

China’s military launched the joint drills—codenamed Strait Thunder-2025 A—on Tuesday, targeting maritime and land-based strategic sites in simulated attack operations. Senior Colonel Shi Yi of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) confirmed that the exercises included precision strikes on mock ports, key energy infrastructure, and defensive positions, testing the PLA’s ability to coordinate land, sea, and air forces in real-world combat scenarios.

On Wednesday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported an unprecedented deployment of 76 Chinese military aircraft, 15 naval vessels, and 4 official surveillance ships encircling the island. This marks the largest military presence since the Joint Sword-2024B war games in October last year, which saw a record number of PLA aircraft entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

In response, Taiwan’s armed forces have mobilized their own aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile defense systems to monitor and counter the maneuvers.

Beijing’s Motives: A Message to Taiwan and the World

Experts suggest that the timing of the exercises reflects Beijing’s growing frustration with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. In a speech last month, Lai described China as “foreign hostile forces” and announced economic and legal countermeasures to curb Beijing’s influence over the island.

“The purpose of these drills is twofold,” said David Silbey, a military historian at Cornell University. “First, they serve to intimidate Taiwan by showcasing China’s overwhelming military superiority. Second, they help prepare the PLA for potential real-world scenarios.”

Analysts at Eurasia Group believe the delay in launching the drills—nearly two weeks after Lai’s speech—was likely to avoid disrupting Beijing’s flagship business summit, where top Chinese officials met with global corporate leaders.

“A military exercise in the Taiwan Strait while foreign CEOs were in Beijing would have sent a chilling message to investors,” the advisory firm noted. However, they warned that Beijing’s willingness to de-escalate cross-strait tensions appears to be eroding, increasing the risk of a full-scale crisis in the coming months.

Rising Military Threats and Regional Implications

China has consistently ramped up its military presence around Taiwan since Lai took office nearly a year ago. Frequent fighter jet incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and large-scale naval drills signal Beijing’s growing readiness to assert its claim over the island—by force if necessary.

As a founding member of NATO and a key Pacific ally, the United States remains steadfast in its support for Taiwan, pledging to strengthen regional deterrence measures. Meanwhile, concerns are growing that escalating military actions could push the region closer to a confrontation with global economic and security ramifications.

With Beijing’s aggressive military strategy intensifying, experts caution that the world must brace for an increasingly volatile cross-strait situation. How the U.S. and its allies navigate this evolving crisis will determine the stability of the Indo-Pacific for years to come.

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