China Conducts Simulated Attack Drills Near Taiwan

China carried out simulated attacks against Taiwanese cities during unannounced military exercises earlier this month. The Taiwanese government reported the presence of over 100 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels operating in the Western Pacific region.

A Taiwanese security official described the movement as quiet intimidation. The report points to a Chinese submarine firing an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Yellow Sea toward the Chinese mainland.

Chinese forces are keeping the Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group active in waters east of the Philippines. Taiwan's Ministry of Defense detected 30 military aircraft and several official ships circling the island territory over the last 24 hours.

Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo states that the maneuvers focus on area denial strategies. This type of operation seeks to prevent external forces from acting in disputed conflict zones during potential military tensions.

These activities occur on the eve of the APEC summit in Shenzhen. The meeting is expected to bring together Xi Jinping and Donald Trump while discussions continue regarding a possible appearance by Vladimir Putin at the international event.