China has carried out a large, unannounced military exercise across the western Pacific and around Taiwan, in a move described by Taiwanese officials as ‘silent intimidation’. The coordinated drills involved naval forces from China’s eastern, northern, and southern theater commands, raising concerns about Beijing’s intentions in the region.
According to officials in Taiwan, the scale and organization of the exercise suggest that China was rehearsing not only a potential blockade of Taiwan but also broader military operations across the western Pacific. The integration of multiple regional fleets points to efforts by China to develop a unified far-seas operational force, the officials said.
The drills, which took place in early November, were not announced in advance and did not carry an official name. A foreign intelligence source told Reuters that these ‘silent drills without a name’ appeared to be a deliberate strategy by Beijing to apply military pressure on Taiwan and the region while minimizing the risk of a diplomatic backlash.
During the exercises, a Chinese submarine launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Yellow Sea into Chinese territory, according to Taiwanese officials. This display of military capability comes at a sensitive time as China prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Shenzhen.
China’s government has stated that the exercises are routine and not directed at any specific country. However, the timing and scale of the drills have drawn attention from regional governments and international observers, given the ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan.
The APEC summit in Shenzhen, scheduled for next week, is expected to bring together US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their third meeting this year. Taiwan, which participates in APEC, will also be represented at the summit.
Officials in Taipei have expressed concern that the latest military maneuvers are intended to send a message to both Taiwan and the international community ahead of the high-profile diplomatic gathering. The exercises coincide with a major policy speech by President Xi, in which he called for peaceful ‘reunification’ with Taiwan but made no mention of the use of force.
Military drills by China in the latter part of the year are not uncommon, as calmer weather conditions are more suitable for large-scale exercises, according to a foreign intelligence source cited by Taipei Times. However, the unannounced nature and scale of the current operation have set it apart from previous years.
Why it matters
The latest unannounced drills mark a significant escalation in China’s military posturing around Taiwan, according to officials cited by Reuters and Taipei Times. By coordinating forces from multiple theater commands and integrating regional fleets, Beijing is demonstrating an enhanced capability to project power across the western Pacific, a development closely watched by both Taipei and Washington.
The timing of the exercises, just days before the APEC summit in Shenzhen, suggests a calculated move by China to reinforce its claims and deter foreign intervention without provoking a direct diplomatic crisis. The presence of US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping at the summit adds further weight to the regional security dynamics, as both leaders have made Taiwan a focal point in their respective foreign policies.
The drills also underscore the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region. With Taiwan set to participate in APEC and President Xi delivering a policy speech urging peaceful reunification, the military maneuvers serve as a reminder of the unresolved status of Taiwan and the risks of miscalculation in cross-strait relations.
The image accompanying this article is an AI-generated illustrative depiction inspired by the actual scene of the event.
