China’s military carried out live-fire exercises in waters near Taiwan on Sunday, deepening tension across the Taiwan Strait. Taipei has described the repeated drills as a form of pressure meant to intimidate the self-ruled island.

The latest exercises come amid a period of heightened friction between Beijing and Taipei, with China continuing to expand military activity around Taiwan. Officials in Taiwan have warned that such operations raise the risk of miscalculation and unsettle regional security.

Reuters reported that the drills were part of a broader pattern of Chinese military demonstrations near Taiwan. The island’s government has repeatedly urged Beijing to stop using force and coercion to shape political outcomes, while calling for stability and restraint.

The standoff underscores how military signaling remains a central feature of cross-strait relations, with Taiwan balancing deterrence, diplomacy, and the need to protect civilians from the consequences of escalating pressure.