China launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday, describing them as a “stern warning” to the self‑ruled island’s government after President Tsai Ing‑wen met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The three‑day operation, dubbed “United Sharp Sword,” will run until Monday, according to a statement from the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command. State media said the drills include rehearsals for an encirclement of Taiwan.
PLA spokesman Shi Yin said the exercises will send planes, ships and personnel into “the maritime areas and air space of the Taiwan Strait, off the northern and southern coasts of the island, and to the island’s east.” A later CCTV report added that the task force will conduct simultaneous patrols and advances around Taiwan, creating an all‑round encirclement and deterrence posture. The report listed the weaponry being employed, such as long‑range rocket artillery, naval destroyers, missile boats, air‑force fighters, bombers, jammers and refuelers.
Taiwan’s defence ministry released a 75‑second video showing soldiers loading anti‑aircraft missile launchers, fighter jets taking off and other preparedness exercises. The footage also included surveillance of China’s Shandong aircraft carrier, which had sailed through waters south of Taiwan earlier in the week. Subtitled in English, the clip ended with a caption stating: “We seek neither escalation nor conflict, but we remain steadfast, rational, and serious to react and defend our territory and sovereignty.”
The ministry reported that eight Chinese warships and 42 fighter jets were detected around the island on Saturday, with 29 jets crossing into Taiwan’s southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)—the highest daily total this year, according to AFP data. The incursions were recorded between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. local time (2200 GMT to 0300 GMT).
President Tsai immediately denounced the drills, pledging to work with “the US and other like‑minded countries” against “continued authoritarian expansionism.” She emphasized the importance of cooperation among democratic nations to defend freedom and democracy. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council called on China to “exercise self‑restraint,” warning that the Chinese Communist Party’s military intimidation threatens peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region. The council added that Taiwan will not back down, will not provoke, and will act prudently.
The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan’s territorial airspace; it covers a much larger area that overlaps with parts of China’s own ADIZ and even some mainland territory.
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