Australia Warns of Regional Tensions from Chinese Military Drills

Australia has expressed serious concerns regarding recent military exercises conducted by China near Taiwan, citing the potential for increased regional tensions. On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) released a statement emphasizing that the large-scale simulations pose a risk of destabilization in an already sensitive area.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) initiated a significant surprise attack simulation on Monday, branding the operation “Justice Mission 2025.” DFAT characterized these drills as “deeply concerning, destabilising and risk inflaming regional tensions.” The agency underscored that Australia firmly opposes actions that heighten the chances of accidents or miscalculations. The statement also reaffirmed Australia’s stance that differences should be resolved through dialogue rather than force or coercion.

Australia has previously raised these concerns directly with Chinese officials. The drills, which are the sixth major military exercise targeting Taiwan since 2022, involved the firing of 27 missiles from the Chinese coastline into waters close to Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, the missiles landed nearer to Taiwan’s main island than in previous live-fire exercises, with some landing within Taiwan’s 24-nautical mile contiguous zone.

In the 24 hours starting at 06:00 on Monday, Taiwanese military forces detected 130 aircraft, 28 ships, and amphibious assault vessels in the vicinity. The ministry also reported at least 13 vessels operating within restricted waters, which heightens concerns over potential military escalation in the area.

The military exercises follow a pattern of increased PLA activity aimed at demonstrating military readiness in response to perceived provocations. In April, the PLA conducted a two-day operation labeled Strait Thunder-2025A. Analysts noted that this marked the first time the PLA openly indicated it was practicing to deter international involvement.

In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation while affirming his strong relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump stated that he had not received any information from Xi regarding the exercises, suggesting that he was unconcerned about the situation escalating into a military confrontation. “I certainly have seen it… I don’t believe he is going to be doing it,” Trump remarked, seemingly referring to the possibility of a military invasion.

China maintains that Taiwan is a province of China and has signaled intentions to annex the territory, with U.S. intelligence estimating that China could be positioned for an invasion by 2027. This ongoing military activity and geopolitical tension continues to raise alarms not only in the region but also among international observers, who stress the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

As the situation develops, the international community remains watchful, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue over military maneuvers to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region.