PLA launches 2-day live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait near Fujian
Drills coincide with end of fisheries survey east of Taiwan island
On July 23, 2026, the PLA initiated a two-day live-fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait, according to a navigation warning from Beijing's maritime safety administration. The drill operates from 6am to 6pm on Thursday and Friday, covering areas east and south of Dongshan Island in Fujian province. All drill zones remain within 12km (7.4 miles) of the mainland coast. On Friday, the operation shifts to a rectangular nearshore zone closer to the Dongshan coastline, with partial overlap between the two days' coordinates. The notice prohibits entry and advises caution.
Simultaneously, Beijing's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs concluded a week-long fisheries resource survey in waters east of Taiwan, reported by CCTV. The survey aims to understand conditions in areas the PRC considers under its jurisdiction. The timing of the drill—peak PLA training season in mid-to-late July—aligns with efforts to improve capabilities in harsh environments like extreme heat. These actions collectively signal China's continued assertion of sovereignty claims over Taiwan and the surrounding waters.
- Drill runs 6am-6pm on July 23-24, 2026, off Dongshan Island, Fujian, all zones within 12km of mainland coast
- Coincides with conclusion of Beijing's week-long fisheries survey east of Taiwan, described as under China's jurisdiction
- PLA typically intensifies drills in late July to train under extreme heat conditions
Why It Matters
Demonstrates China's sustained military pressure on Taiwan amid coordinated civilian operations in contested waters.