China initiates military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan, labeling its president as a ‘parasite’

On Tuesday, China initiated joint military exercises involving its army, navy, and rocket forces near Taiwan, labeling the actions as a “stern warning” against separatism. The Chinese government referred to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as a “parasite,” coinciding with Taiwan’s deployment of warships in response to the approaching Chinese naval presence.

These drills, conducted around the democratically governed island that China claims as its own and has not ruled out using force to control, followed Lai’s recent characterization of Beijing as a “foreign hostile force.”

China regards Lai as a “separatist,” and a video released by the Eastern Theatre Command during the announcement of the exercises depicted him as a cartoon insect being held by chopsticks over a burning Taiwan, with the term “parasite” used in English.

According to a statement from the Eastern Theatre Command, the exercises will focus on combat readiness patrols at sea and in the air, achieving comprehensive control, targeting maritime and land objectives, and enforcing blockades on critical areas and routes.

Taiwan’s government condemned these military maneuvers, with the presidential office asserting that China is “widely recognized by the international community as a troublemaker” and expressing confidence in its ability to defend itself.

Taiwan firmly rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, stating that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future. Two senior officials from Taiwan informed Reuters that over ten Chinese military vessels had approached within Taiwan’s 24 nautical mile (44 km) contiguous zone, prompting Taiwan to send its own warships in response. However, one official noted that no live fire from the Chinese military had been detected.

TAIWAN DISPATCHES WARSHIPS

In a statement, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry indicated that China’s Shandong aircraft carrier group had entered the island’s response area on Monday, leading to the deployment of military aircraft and ships, as well as the activation of land-based missile systems in reaction.

The military exercises occurred shortly after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth departed the area following his visits to Japan and the Philippines, where he criticized China and emphasized Japan’s crucial role in addressing Chinese aggression.

A senior security official from Taiwan informed Reuters, referencing internal evaluations, that Beijing must steer clear of any “perceived confrontation” with Washington ahead of the upcoming U.S.-China trade discussions, making Taiwan a convenient pretext. “Taiwan serves as their primary justification.

This is why they opted to initiate military drills immediately after the U.S. defense secretary’s departure from Asia,” the official stated. The American Institute in Taiwan, acting as the de facto U.S. embassy, affirmed that the United States will persist in its support for the island.

“Once again, China has demonstrated that it is not a responsible player and is willing to jeopardize the security and prosperity of the region,” a spokesperson remarked in a statement.

“ENCROACHING”

Following the announcement of the drills, China’s military released a series of propaganda videos in rapid succession, showcasing Chinese warships and fighter jets surrounding Taiwan, aerial views of Taipei, and military vehicles patrolling urban areas.

One video featured a poster titled “Closing In,” illustrating Chinese forces encircling the island, which was shared on the Eastern Theatre Command’s Weibo account. Another video, named “Shell,” portrayed President Lai as a green cartoon insect spreading parasites across the island, posted on the Eastern Theatre Command’s WeChat page.

The animation stated, “Parasite poisoning Taiwan island. Parasite hollowing Island out. Parasite courting ultimate destruction.” In response to inquiries about Lai’s cartoon representation, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo remarked that such rhetoric was unhelpful for peace and “reveals their provocative nature.”

A third video, titled “Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils,” featured Sun Wukong, the legendary monkey king from the Ming Dynasty classic “Journey to the West,” as depicted in the popular video game “Black Myth: Wukong.”

The video begins with its title prominently displayed, showcasing a Chinese mythical warrior riding on clouds, before transitioning to scenes of Chinese fighter jets in action. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stated, “The joint exercises and training conducted by the Eastern Theatre of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near Taiwan Island serve as a firm response to the Lai Ching-Te administration’s provocative actions regarding ‘independence.'”

In response, Taiwan’s Koo expressed to reporters that the PLA should prioritize addressing its internal corruption issues rather than undermining peace and stability in the region. Over the past few years, China’s military has implemented a significant anti-corruption campaign, which led to the dismissal of former Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu in October 2024.

The Chinese defense ministry has not yet commented on Koo’s statements. According to a Taiwan security source referencing internal intelligence, China is engaging its military in exercises to divert attention from discussions about the corruption crackdown among soldiers stationed at bases.

Additionally, China’s coast guard announced its participation in the drills, stating that it was simulating operations for “inspection and capture, interception, and detention of unauthorized vessels” to assert its “legitimate jurisdiction” over Taiwan. The Global Times, affiliated with the People’s Daily of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, reported that the exercise was not assigned a code name to indicate that the presence of Chinese military forces around the island has become routine, as noted by Zhang Chi from the National Defence University.

The article on the paper’s Weixin social media platform emphasized that the PLA has significantly improved its readiness for conflict through a series of exercises conducted in the Taiwan Strait in recent years. Since the visit of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei in 2022, China has conducted multiple rounds of military drills around Taiwan.