Taiwan Strait

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis' attacks on Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait highlight risks to global maritime navigation. Experts analyze implications for other critical waterways like the Strait of Malacca, Taiwan Strait, Panama Canal, Suez Canal, and Turkish Straits.

Commercial sea drones from Seasats have monitored PLA warships in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Verified footage shows a Lightfish drone near a Chinese Type 052D guided-missile destroyer northwest of Luzon, Philippines.

A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, operating east of it for nearly 9.5 hours. Taiwan’s defence ministry detected the four PLA aircraft, including the helicopter and drone, on July 20 and the following morning, raising concerns about potential cross-strait conflict preparations.

Mainland China's People's Liberation Army is conducting two-day live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait off Fujian's coastal waters, running from 6am to 6pm on Thursday and Friday. The drills are part of mid to late July training to enhance capabilities in harsh environments, including extreme heat.

The cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz and the Taiwan Strait, as well as those under the Baltic, are described as a test of whether free societies can protect critical infrastructure that sustains them.

China's newest and most powerful aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has sailed through the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.

Taiwan recently launched Himars rockets westward toward the Taiwan Strait as part of a defensive strategy shift to mobile strike weapons. The June 10 exercise marked the first such launch toward mainland China, with Beijing yet to respond.

A Taiwanese sea search-and-rescue group's leader called for cross-strait cooperation on maritime emergencies, urging Beijing and Taipei to prioritize safety over politics. Yin Liu-sheng of the Chinese Search and Rescue Association emphasized that maritime rescue should remain non-political to protect lives and property.

A Beijing official stated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait require a 'joint answer' from both sides. The official highlighted the complex and severe situation in the region amid global changes.

Taiwan conducted drills using a U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket system, firing into the Taiwan Strait. This marked the first time the system has been used in that region.

Taiwan's military fired rockets from a U.S.-supplied HIMARS mobile launcher toward the Taiwan Strait in a drill simulating a response to a Chinese attack. The exercise demonstrated the system's 'shoot-and-scoot' tactics and rapid deployment capabilities, with reduced-range rockets used to avoid long-distance flight. The U.S. had planned to sell additional HIMARS units to Taiwan, but the deal appears paused following a Trump-Xi Jinping meeting.

This year's Balikatan exercise is more closely aligned with the Taiwan Strait, indicating a focus on potential future conflict over the island. The US-Philippine Alliance is addressing this challenge as part of its strategic orientation.

China’s navy is shifting pressure beyond the Taiwan Strait, despite not conducting a large-scale military exercise targeting Taiwan after the Trump-Xi meeting. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) remains active, though not through the anticipated large-scale drills.

The US military reduced its visibility in Taiwan Strait transits in 2025 compared to its Five Eyes allies, who increased their presence with six warship deployments and public statements. A Chinese think tank reported this contrast, noting the remaining Five Eyes countries (Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand) adopted a more assertive approach.

The article examines the unresolved geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan, highlighting the strategic geography of the Taiwan Strait and historical claims. It discusses how the region remains a flashpoint in an unfinished Cold War-era conflict, with both sides asserting sovereignty.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te rejected suggestions that foreign powers could decide Taiwan's future, responding to US President Trump's comments about including Taiwan arms sales in China negotiations. Lai pledged to increase defense spending while maintaining Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy. Beijing condemned the remarks as provocative amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

China's President Xi Jinping warns of global order disarray amid U.S.-China tensions, including Trump's alleged blockade of the Taiwan Strait. Claims surface that Iran used a Chinese satellite to attack a U.S. military base, escalating regional security concerns.

Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking the first such encounter in over a decade. Both sides emphasized peaceful reunification, though tensions persist with China's military activities and disputes over Taiwan's sovereignty.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Taiwan's opposition leader Cheng Li-wun in a rare visit, emphasizing shared Chinese identity and peace. The meeting, the first in a decade, sparked controversy in Taiwan over Cheng's perceived closeness to China.

China significantly increased military activities across the Indo-Pacific in 2025, conducting record-breaking operations in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea while expanding far-seas training beyond the First Island Chain. The PLA sustained higher operational tempo around Taiwan following President William Lai's inauguration, conducted two large-scale exercises, and demonstrated unprecedented capabilities including simultaneous aircraft carrier operations in the Pacific.