China holds drills near Taiwan after Lai's 'foreign hostile force' remark

Dozens of warplanes and vessels encircle the self-ruled island in 'provocative actions'

A screenshot from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows a People's Liberation Army naval vessel. China has repeatedly launched exercises in the waters near Taiwan over the past year. (Screenshot from CCTV/Kyodo)

CHENG TING FANG, LAULY LI and JAMES HAND-CUKIERMAN

March 18, 2025 20:10 JST

TAIPEI/TOKYO -- China launched military drills near Taiwan on Monday, the self-ruled island's Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday, days after its president in Taipei referred to Beijing as a "foreign hostile force" and vowed to counter its attempts at infiltration.

A flight map released by the ministry detected 59 warplanes and drones, as well as nine vessels from China in the vicinity of the island with 43 of the aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait while others entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone. Two balloons also circled the island.