Femy Francis

On 01 April, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted live-fire and long-range drills near Taiwan Strait. A spokesperson of China’s Ministry of National Defense, Zhang Xiaogang, backed the drills and stated that Taiwan’s independence and peace in the strait are “irreconcilable as fire and water.” And if they truly want peace in the strait, they must adhere to the One-China principle and stop sending the wrong signals. China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) called Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te a “foreign hostile force” and called out Lai’s “17 major strategies” in light of the growing national security threat.

What was China’s military drill about?
The Eastern Theater Command of the PLA organized air, navy, army, and rocket force exercises. The drills focused on sea-air combat readiness, maritime assault, and ground targeting. It also rehearsed the blockade of key areas of sea lanes and tested their joint operation capabilities. China’s Coast Guard (CCG) also conducted patrols on the water near Taiwan. PLA’s spokesperson, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, noted that this is a stern warning against the secessionist forces aiming for the independence of Taiwan and found China’s actions as legitimate and necessary.

The PLA, with the Shandong Carrier Strike Group (CSG), conducted a military drill on the east of Taiwan. The CSG included “Aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17), cruiser CNS Xianyang (108), destroyer CNS Zhanjiang and frigate CNS Hengshui (572). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Onami (DD-111) shadowed the PLAN CSG,” reports Japan’s Joint Staff Office closely monitoring China.

Taiwan’s response
On 01 April, Taiwan’s President Office condemned Chinese drills by the PLA and called China a “troublemaker.” It said: “engage in military provocations and gray-zone tactics" in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, the office said, adding that those activities had "undermined regional security and stability.” Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Wellington Koo, informed the Legislative Yuan that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has established a response center to monitor Chinese activities. MND also informed that China had entered their reaction zone, which comprises the area of Taiwan’s air defense zone, the median line, and the “contiguous zone.” Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced China’s actions and called to halt the “unwarranted military provocation.” The minister also noted that these drills also violated the international orders and regional status quo, and they practice military intimidation in gray zone areas near South China Sea, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

External response
Both the US and EU criticized China’s military drills. The US Department of Defense issued a press release titled “Response to China’s Military Exercise Near Taiwan.” They noted that, once again, China is engaging in aggressive military tactics and is putting regional and world security at risk. It said: “In the face of China’s intimidation tactics and destabilizing behavior, the United States’ enduring commitment to our allies and partners, including Taiwan, continues.” European External Action Service (EEAS) also expressed concerns over the increased cross-strait tensions. The EESA called for all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate the situation. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi affirmed that Japan will take all measures to be vigilant and surveil Chinese military activities.  Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, noted that the status quo should not change unless it has mutual understanding.

Media’s response in China and Taiwan
On 02 April, Global Times, China's flagship news media, published an op-ed titled “PLA drills ‘subdue demons and vanquish evils,’ send a stern warning to Lai Ching-te.” The op-ed highlighted the military drills that happened and Lai’s record as a leader. The op-ed noted that Lai has repeatedly supported fallacy by labelling China as a hostile force. Lai is accused of spreading “green McCarthyism,” noted the author. This is done by restricting cross-strait exchange as they ramp up military capabilities. He is also accused of hijacking Taiwanese citizens in his Independence bandwagon. The Op-ed concluded with an eerie warning: “We advise "Taiwan independence" advocates to recognize reality as soon as possible and not to wait until the day of reckoning arrives, only to regret their actions. The wheels of history roll forward relentlessly; on the journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, any secessionist forces will ultimately be crushed to dust.”

An opinion in People’s Daily titled “Commentary: For separatist agenda, Lai Ching-te resorts to green authoritarianism,” called out Lai’s administration. The op-ed noted the recent expulsion of Chinese nationals in Taiwan calling for unification. The Op-ed called the deportation as fostering a climate of fear as they aggressively demonize China. The op-ed also expressed concern that the “Taiwan’s independence” call has become acceptable to the locals. And that the DPP is no more a guardian of democracy but the opposite. The author also noted that the threat of infiltration is used to distract the locals from the real issues facing Taiwan and the failure of DPP in uplifting the economy.

The news media mostly covered the developments on China’s drill in Taiwan and its support by its allies. Taipei Times published an editorial on “US shifts defense focus to Taiwan.” This noted the proposal by the US to focus on Taiwan in order to deter China. The editorial called the initiative “an actual combat blueprint,” noting the positive pivot of the US towards Taiwan. The memo “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” states how the US military will increase its presence and utilize deterrence capabilities. The author concludes that “The US has already placed Taiwan’s defense at the core of its national policy — what else is left to question? The only question worth asking is — is Taiwan itself prepared?”

Background developments
On 31 March, the US House of Representatives reintroduced the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. The act called for the US and its allies to oppose Chinese efforts to undermine Taiwan’s global relations with other countries. The house noted that the UNGA resolution 2758 that China uses to prove its claim on Taiwan, “does not preclude the United States from using its vote, voice, and influence to resist the reckless campaign against Taiwan's place on the world stage.” The bills call to resist any distortion of language, policies, or procedure by China against Taiwan.

On 30 March, the Pentagon came out with “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” giving a framework on curbing and preparedness on China aggression and the protecting US’s regional interest. The document was signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who instated the possible threat on Taiwan as a priority and as an “exclusive animating scenario.” The memo called for the US military to increase military installation in the Indo-Pacific and stockpiling supplies aimed at enhancing the logistics. Hegseth said: “China is the department’s sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan — while simultaneously defending the US homeland is the department’s sole pacing scenario.”

References:
“Defense spokesperson says PLA's drills around Taiwan “legitimate, necessary, reasonable”,” China’s Ministry of National Defense, 02 April 2025
“Chinese Military Wraps Intimidation Drills Off Taiwan,” USNI News, 02 April 2025
“Taipei condemns Chinese military drills around Taiwan,” Focus Taiwan, 01 April 2025
“MOFA strongly condemns China for unilateral provocations and repeated attempts to escalate cross-strait and regional tensions,” MOFA, 01 April 2025
“Commentary: For separatist agenda, Lai Ching-te resorts to "green authoritarianism",” People’s Daily, 31 March 2025
“PLA drills ‘subdue demons and vanquish evils,’ send a stern warning to Lai Ching-te: Global Times editorial,” Global Times, 02 April 2025”
“US, EU criticize China’s military drills,” Taipei Times, 03 April 2025
“Taiwan International Solidarity Act reintroduced in U.S. Congress,” Focus Taiwan, 01 April 2025

About the author
Femy Francis is a Research Assistant at NIAS.

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