International concern grows. Taipei denounces "provocative actions", while Beijing declares "joint exercises of April 1-2, 2025" concluded

The People's Republic of China has increased its military presence in the waters surrounding Taiwan, deploying a significant number of warships, aircraft and missiles. According to Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, 21 warships and 27 aircraft of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were detected operating in the vicinity of the island in the past 24 hours. The exercises, described by military sources as war simulations, include drills of: amphibious attack, naval blockade and air and missile strikes. Beijing reiterated its determination to continue with what it calls "disciplinary actions" against Taiwan, until the authorities in Taipei stop promoting the island's independence.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in a press conference earlier today that "Taiwan independence-related provocations" will not be tolerated and that China regards the Taiwan issue as an internal affair, ruling out any outside interference. Guo also criticized some countries that have expressed concern about China's military activities, accusing them of "meddling in China's internal affairs."

Taiwan's Defense Ministry condemned China's actions, calling them "provocative" and "a threat to regional peace and stability". Taiwan's military said it was on high alert and closely monitoring the situation. The PLA's drills included simulated attacks on land and sea targets, highlighting China's ability to conduct multidimensional blockade and control operations over Taiwan.

The latest announcement from the Eastern Theater Command (ETC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, through its spokesman, Army Major Colonel Shi Yi, announced the conclusion of the exercise: "The ETC has deployed its ground, naval, air, missile and other forces from multiple directions to approach the island as part of the operation. The exercises mainly focus on air-sea combat readiness patrols, battlefield dominance, attacks on sea and land targets, blocking key areas and sea lanes and other tactics, in order to evaluate the joint operational capabilities of the forces. The Command has completed all the tasks designated in the joint exercises held from April 1 to 2 and tested the troops' ability to conduct integrated joint operations". The senior colonel added that "the troops assigned to the theater command will remain on high alert at all times, continue to strengthen combat readiness training, and resolutely obstruct any separatist activity aimed at Taiwan independence".

An escalation of tension in the Taiwan Strait, in short, which has the international community deeply concerned. The United States was the first to reiterate its support for Taiwan in these hours and urged China to cease its military activities. Expressing concern about Chinese military activities, which it considers destabilizing for the region, the EU, which has always tried to balance its economic interests with its values of democracy and human rights, called on both parties to engage in constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. However, within the European Union itself there are different shades of opinion. Some countries are more cautious in criticizing China, while others are more inclined to support Taiwan. In particular, nations such as France and Germany have stressed the importance of keeping channels of communication open with China, while expressing concern about its actions. Other countries, such as those in Eastern Europe, have been more critical of Beijing probably due to their historical experiences with authoritarianism.

We conclude with what was declared this morning by Zhu Fenglian, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China, who affirmed that the joint exercises of the PLA are a decisive punishment for the "reckless provocations" in the pursuit of "Taiwan independence" by the authorities of the island led by Lai Ching-te.

The two videos below show the two days of military maneuvers: