China’s War Exercises Intensify Tensions with Taiwan amid Growing Military Presence

Beijing and Shanghai, the two major cities of China, were hit with war propaganda on Thursday and Friday. The Chinese government was determined to showcase its military capabilities through a series of exercises involving the navy and air force. The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command directed these maneuvers, which included simulated attacks on foreign ships and the seizure of key areas.

The Taiwan Ministry of Defense reported the presence of Chinese navy ships, coast guard ships, and combat aircraft near the Taiwanese coast. In response, China’s Defense Ministry stated that the exercises were aimed at testing the military’s ability to seize power and occupy key areas. This is the third largest war game around Taiwan since August 2022, targeting “Taiwan independence supporters”. The exercises featured the J-20 stealth fighter, J-16 dropping munitions on ground targets, guided missile destroyer Type 052D, DF-16A short-range ballistic missile, and modular long-range multiple launch rocket system.

On Friday morning in Shanghai’s Xintiandi neighborhood, Artificial Intelligence simulations of a missile attack on Taiwan were shown on screens installed in buildings where international luxury brands are located. Meanwhile in Beijing’s financial district, a giant screen was broadcasting videos of warships and fighter planes surrounding Taiwan all day on Thursday. It also displayed a map showing five points around the island where the Chinese army was carrying out a siege. These maneuvers served to pressure Taiwan’s new leader and claim sovereignty over the island that functions de facto as an independent country.