AFP reporters in Pingtan – a Chinese island that is the closest point to Taiwan’s main island – saw two fighter jets soaring across the sky and a Chinese military vessel in the distance. I certainly have seen it,” Trump told reporters Monday when asked about the exercises. Its defence ministry said it had detected 89 Chinese military aircraft near its shores on Monday – the highest number in a single day since October 2024. China’s military last held large-scale drills involving live firing around Taiwan in April - surprise manoeuvres condemned by Taipei. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered a backlash from Beijing last month when she said the use of force against Taiwan could warrant a military response from Tokyo.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 29, 2025 20:00 UTC