World · East Asia & Pacific · 7 hrs ago
China holds unannounced military drills around Taiwan and the western Pacific
Taiwanese officials say China deployed more than 100 vessels in unannounced military drills around Taiwan and the western Pacific in early November.
The exercises included simulated attacks and, according to a Taiwan official, rehearsals that suggested a possible blockade scenario.
China did not announce or name the drills, and Beijing has not confirmed that all the deployments were part of one operation.
Taiwan is democratically governed, while China claims it as its territory and has increased military pressure on the island in recent years.
The drills simulated a blockade, not an actual one, and China has described its carrier activity as routine exercises not directed at any country.
About 70 vessels remained active on Friday, while Chinese military activity near Taiwan was still reported as high.
The drills took place before next week’s APEC summit in Shenzhen, where US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet.
China carried out large, unannounced military drills around Taiwan and across the western Pacific in early November, according to reports citing Taiwan security officials.
A Taiwan official said more than 100 Chinese military and coast guard vessels were at one point deployed in the region and conducted simulated attacks.
The drills included deployments beyond the first island chain, while a Chinese submarine reportedly launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Yellow Sea into mainland China.
Taiwan officials described the activity as “silent intimidation” and said it could rehearse a blockade scenario, while China said its carrier was on routine exercises not directed at any country.
The reports say China did not announce a large-scale exercise, and France 24 said the forces simulated a blockade but did not implement one.
- Who
- China’s military and coast guard conducted the drills. Taiwan officials described the activity as intimidation.
- What
- Large, unannounced military drills took place around Taiwan and in the western Pacific. They included simulated attacks and activity that officials said could rehearse a blockade scenario.
- When
- Early November 2026.
- Where
- Around Taiwan and across the western Pacific; a reported submarine missile launch took place from the Yellow Sea into mainland China.
- Why
- Taiwan officials said the drills were intended to pressure Taiwan and other governments. China’s stated purpose for the wider deployments was not confirmed.
Taiwan officials
China
Purpose
Taiwan officials
Taiwan officials described the unannounced drills as “silent intimidation” aimed at applying pressure.
China
China said its carrier was conducting routine exercises not directed at any country.
Nature of activity
Taiwan officials
Taiwan officials said the deployments suggested practice for a Taiwan blockade and broader operations in the western Pacific.
China
China did not confirm that all the reported deployments were part of one coordinated operation.
China conducted unannounced military drills around Taiwan and across the western Pacific.
The Institute for the Study of War map cited by BFM Business showed 49 Chinese military aircraft sorties, including 36 south of Taiwan.
Xi Jinping gave a policy speech on Taiwan and called for peaceful reunification, according to the reports.
Taiwan security officials said around 70 Chinese vessels were operating within the first island chain.
- Vessels at peak
- More than 100 Chinese military and coast guard vessels, according to a Taiwan security official
- Vessels on Friday
- Around 70 operating within the first island chain, according to two Taiwan security officials
- Aircraft sorties
- 49 detected on November 2, including 36 south of Taiwan
- Reported missile launch
- From the Yellow Sea into mainland China
- Upcoming event
- APEC leaders’ summit in Shenzhen next week
4 sources
What we know about China's military exercises around Taiwan
Siaga Perang Asia, Ratusan Kapal Tempur China Kepung Taiwan Diam-Diam
China stages unannounced Pacific drills in 'silent intimidation' of Taiwan, officials say
Pas d'annonce, pas de nom d'exercice, mais plus de 100 navires militaires déployés autour de l'île: sans prévenir personne, la Chine semble s'entraîner à imposer un blocus de Taïwan
What people are saying
It is a silent exercise — and in effect, silent intimidation.
This is like a robber hiding a gun in the pocket of a coat — with the muzzle pointed at the bank teller. It scares the teller into handing over the money, while avoiding setting off the alarm and bringing in a large police response.
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MORE: The scale of these deployments suggests that the PLA is conducting a major exercise that simulates isolating Taiwan. The number of vessels involved and the geographic range of their deployment are greater than the PLA’s most recent exercise around Taiwan — Justice Mission