TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's military leadership issued firm reassurances on Wednesday (April 2) that the island's armed forces stand fully prepared to counter any threats, even as China executes what officials described as "blockade-style" military drills encircling the democratic island. The exercises, code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A" (海峽雷霆-2025A), have deployed an intimidating array of 27 drones, 11 fighter jets and 13 naval vessels in the past 24 hours alone, dramatically escalating tensions across the narrow Taiwan Strait that separates the self-governing island from mainland China.
"Previous military drills conducted by the China Coast Guard and the PLA Eastern Theater Command were not so-called 'law enforcement patrols,'" said Coast Guard Administration Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) during a tense press briefing in Taipei. "They are not only malicious acts, but also a deliberate threat and intimidation toward Taiwan."
Hsieh emphasized Taiwan's readiness to defend itself against what many analysts view as China's most aggressive posturing since similar exercises in 2023. "I want to reiterate that the Coast Guard Administration, the Ministry of National Defense, and other relevant national security units are fully prepared," he said, his voice steady despite the escalating situation. "We are confident and capable of defending our sovereignty, and protecting our people's lives and property."
The Defense Ministry spokesperson in Taipei, Major General Sun Li-fang (孫立方), underscored Taiwan's combat readiness during an emergency briefing at the ministry's headquarters, a concrete fortress-like structure in the capital's government district. Sun confirmed that Taiwan's military forces remain on high alert across air, sea and land domains to protect the island's sovereignty and security, with defense systems activated along Taiwan's vulnerable eastern coastline.
The unexpected escalation has drawn swift international reaction, with U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issuing a formal condemnation of the drills in Washington. Bruce characterized China's aggressive military activities toward Taiwan as counterproductive actions that "only serve to exacerbate tensions" in an already volatile region. The spokesperson reaffirmed America's unwavering commitment to regional allies, emphasizing that the United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, consistent with decades of American foreign policy.
The Pentagon has ordered what military analysts describe as a massive show of force in response, announcing the strategic repositioning of multiple carrier strike groups to the CENTCOM AOR (Area of Responsibility). This United States Central Command jurisdiction spans a vast territory from Northeast Africa through the Middle East to Central Asia, effectively positioning U.S. naval and air forces to respond rapidly to any further escalation while maintaining America's strategic flexibility in the Indo-Pacific region.
Earlier today, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. took the unusual step of sharing detailed operational maps on social media showing Taiwan completely encircled by Chinese military assets, alongside a statement declaring that "the historical trend that China will and must achieve reunification is unstoppable." The provocative messaging, viewed by many diplomats as deliberately inflammatory, has raised concerns throughout diplomatic circles in Washington and Taipei. What remains unclear and particularly troubling to regional security experts is how long Beijing intends to continue these provocative exercises, with no end date specified in any official communications from the Chinese government.
This uncertainty is fueling growing anxiety throughout East Asia, as neighboring countries including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines prepare contingency plans for what could become a prolonged period of heightened military tensions. Financial markets across the region have already responded nervously, with Taiwan's stock exchange experiencing significant volatility as investors weigh the potential economic impact of continued Chinese pressure on the technology-dependent island.