Beijing: China has reportedly deployed more than 100 naval and coast guard ships across key East Asian waters in what sources describe as the largest maritime show of force in recent history. The vessels have been seen operating across the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, the contested South China Sea, and into the western Pacific. While Beijing has not officially announced a large-scale exercise, intelligence sources and regional security officials say the deployment is intended to project China’s maritime power amid heightened regional tensions.
The deployment comes at a sensitive time in regional politics. Chinese officials have been closely monitoring remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who warned last month that Tokyo could respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan. The build-up follows Taiwan’s announcement of a US$40 billion increase in defence spending, a move viewed in Beijing as bolstering Taipei’s military readiness. Regional analysts say the timing of the naval surge underscores China’s desire to send a warning message to both Tokyo and Taipei while demonstrating its capability to dominate the seas.
Sources familiar with the deployment report that the number of ships involved this week has surpassed 100 at its peak, exceeding last year’s comparable exercises in December. Four separate Chinese naval task forces are active in the western Pacific, with continuous movement observed in strategic waterways near Taiwan and Japan. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, led by Tsai Ming-yen, has confirmed that China’s late-year naval drills traditionally involve large-scale manoeuvres, but the current surge is unprecedented in both scale and duration.
Intelligence and military sources say that some vessels have conducted mock attacks on foreign ships and carried out access-denial drills, simulating the ability to block reinforcements from entering contested areas in the event of conflict. While some analysts downplay the immediate threat, warning that these are routine exercises, others note that the simultaneous presence of such a large flotilla across multiple seas increases the risk of miscalculation or accidental confrontation.
Taiwan has reaffirmed that its military continues to monitor China’s movements in real time, coordinating with international partners to maintain regional stability. Government officials emphasized that, while alert and prepared, the current situation does not pose an immediate threat to national security. Surveillance operations, air patrols, and maritime tracking remain in full operation to ensure early detection of any aggressive manoeuvres.
The scale and visibility of the deployment suggest that China is sending a strategic message about its intent to assert maritime dominance across its near seas and potentially beyond. Analysts say this demonstration highlights Beijing’s commitment to expanding its naval footprint, deterring perceived adversaries, and reinforcing its claims in disputed waters. Regional capitals and international observers continue to watch closely, as such mobilizations have the potential to reshape security dynamics in East Asia in the coming months.