World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Taiwan says China is holding area-denial drills in the Western Pacific
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo says China is conducting area-denial drills in the Western Pacific.
The exercises involve the Liaoning aircraft carrier group and other naval formations, after Taiwan reported increased Chinese military activity around the island and in nearby waters.
Area-denial tactics aim to keep outside forces from intervening in a conflict, which could mean blocking US or allied forces from helping Taiwan if Beijing attacked.
China says the Liaoning's Western Pacific training is an annual routine and is not aimed at a particular country.
Taiwan says it sees the activity as a threat to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Its military is using intelligence and surveillance and exchanging information with allies to monitor the exercises and respond as needed.
The drills come ahead of an APEC summit and Taiwan's local elections later this month.
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said China is conducting area-denial drills in the Western Pacific with the Liaoning carrier group and other naval formations.
Koo said Taiwan is closely monitoring the activity and will share intelligence with allies.
Taiwan described the military activity as a threat to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The reports came after Taiwan cited a rise in Chinese naval, Coast Guard and air force activity around the island and in nearby waters.
China has not formally declared the drills, and its defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- Who
- Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said China was conducting the drills.
- What
- China is carrying out area-denial drills involving the Liaoning carrier group and other naval formations.
- When
- Koo made the statement on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The Western Pacific.
- Why
- Koo said the activity was intended to undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. China’s defence ministry previously described Liaoning training in the western Pacific as a routine test of long-range, open-ocean combat capabilities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu posted details of deployments of more than 100 Chinese naval and Coast Guard ships near Taiwan, in the South China Sea and into the Pacific.
Taiwan’s defence ministry reported a large rise in Chinese air force aircraft around Taiwan.
Wellington Koo said China had conducted area-denial drills in the Western Pacific.
- Drill location
- Western Pacific
- Carrier group
- Liaoning
- Ships cited in deployments
- More than 100 Chinese naval and Coast Guard ships
- Statement date
- November 10, 2026
2 sources
What people are saying
China has indeed conducted area denial drills in the Western Pacific with the Liaoning carrier group and other naval training formations.
We believe that this kind of military deterrence is intended to undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.