China conducts two‑day live‑fire drills in Taiwan Strait

China’s People’s Liberation Army began a two‑day live‑fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait on 23 July, continuing through 24 July. The drills were carried out in maritime zones near Dongshan Island off the coast of Fujian province, with precise coordinates issued by the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration and a navigation warning that prohibited all vessels from entering the designated areas.

Taiwan’s Transport and Maritime Administration said the exercises did not affect commercial shipping or port operations, and the area remains open for all other traffic. The Taiwanese government condemned the drills, demanding China cease “provocative military incursions.” The timing followed a meeting in Manila between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which Taiwan was a key topic. Rubio later warned that any interruption of free navigation in the strait would undermine strategic stability.

The drills were scheduled from 06:00 to 18:00 each day, with Chinese authorities enforcing the ban on navigation within the specified zones. No casualties were reported, and the exercises are part of a pattern of heightened military activity around the island.