China is at it again. The Chinese military has fired up yet another round of dramatic chest-beating, launching major live-fire exercises encircling Taiwan. The excuse this time is a massive $11.1 billion U.S. weapons deal with Taiwan. So Beijing has responded in its usual way, with bluster, threats, and a theatrical show of force meant to scare everyone. The truth is that while live-fire drills always sound terrifying, to Taiwan this is becoming routine. China has pulled the tantrum card so many times it is starting to lose its effect.

What China Has Launched Around Taiwan

China’s People’s Liberation Army has sent its army, navy, air force, and rocket force into action in a sweeping military exercise called “Justice Mission 2025.” These drills surround Taiwan from multiple directions, including the Taiwan Strait and key waters to the north, south, east, and west of the island. They involve warships, aircraft, rocket units, and full live-fire operations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. in designated zones. China says it is training for blockades, controlling key ports, and gaining “comprehensive control” over the area.

In other words, they are simulating how they might choke off Taiwan if they ever decided to invade. It is meant as a “stern warning” to Taiwan and what Beijing arrogantly calls “external interference,” meaning the United States and anyone else who thinks Taiwan should be allowed to exist in peace.

According to Beijing, this military drama is a “serious warning” against what it calls “Taiwan independence separatist forces.” China claims Taiwan as its territory despite never having ruled it. Taiwan is a self-governed democracy and its people consistently reject Chinese Communist Party control. That reality drives Beijing crazy. So every time Taiwan strengthens its defenses or someone supports it, China reacts like a furious bully stomping its feet and screaming.

The final trigger this time was the massive U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan, which includes HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank weapons, loitering drones, howitzers, military software, and more. Beijing was also angered by Japan’s Prime Minister suggesting Japan might respond militarily if China tried to seize Taiwan by force. Instead of acting like a responsible power, China responded with threats, sanctions, and these drills.

China has dramatically increased military intimidation since 2022. After Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, Beijing exploded in rage and began regular exercises to surround and threaten the island. This has continued through Taiwan’s leadership transitions and U.S. support actions. Meanwhile, Taiwan is not backing down. President Lai Ching-te has vowed to boost defenses and maintain strong readiness. Taiwan has held its own large-scale military exercises and continues to prepare to defend democracy.

Taiwan has made it very clear that defending freedom and democracy is not provocation. Taiwan’s government condemned China’s drills as military intimidation, destabilizing the region, and violating international norms. Taiwan’s defense forces are on alert, watching every move, and ready to respond.

What “Live-Fire Drills” Really Mean

Live-fire means China is not just practicing with empty weapons. Real missiles, rockets, and artillery are being launched in designated zones around Taiwan. It adds danger because mistakes can happen and escalation always lurks in the background. But it is also a performance. China wants headlines. It wants the world to gasp. It wants Taiwan to tremble.

Instead, Taiwan mostly rolls its eyes.

Taiwan has gotten used to this pattern. China gets angry. China threatens. China holds drills. China issues wild statements like warning that “all those plotting independence will be annihilated.” Then life moves on. Until the next tantrum.

The U.S. Taiwan Weapons Deal That Sparked This

The United States recently approved one of its largest defense packages ever for Taiwan. The $11.1 billion deal includes HIMARS rocket launchers, howitzers, anti-tank and anti-armor weapons, loitering drones, and military command and control technology. It is exactly the kind of boost Taiwan needs to make any Chinese invasion extremely costly and risky.

Beijing absolutely hated that. It sanctioned U.S. defense companies and raged publicly. Now it is trying to show strength with this exercise. But the harder China stomps its feet, the more it proves why Taiwan needs strong defenses in the first place.

This is not new. China has staged similar large drills many times since 2022. It encircles Taiwan, simulates invasions, practices blockades, and floods the region with warplanes and ships. Taiwan’s intelligence community even predicted China would do another large-scale drill before the end of the year. China has pretty much become predictable.

Chinese officials claim each time that this is about “national sovereignty.” What it really looks like is insecurity and frustration. Taiwan refuses to submit. The United States keeps supporting Taiwan. Japan is showing readiness. And China cannot stand that people would choose freedom over Communist rule.

Taiwan’s leaders condemned China’s actions as reckless, destabilizing, and dangerous. They say it undermines peace in the Indo-Pacific and violates international order. Taiwan says defending democracy is not provocation. Many international analysts say these drills are political theater meant to pressure Taiwan and test U.S. reactions. Others note that while these exercises look scary, they are still far from signaling an immediate invasion.

Even Taiwanese citizens are not panicking. Polls have long shown that most people want to keep the current status, meaning no forced reunification and no reckless declaration of independence. They want peace, but they want freedom more. Taiwan continues building defenses, improving readiness, and refusing to bow to China’s bullying.

This whole episode once again shows China’s favorite tactic. Threats. Intimidation. Military theater. Rage whenever someone supports Taiwan’s right to exist. Beijing calls it a “serious warning.” To many observers, it looks like yet another tantrum from a regime that cannot handle a free Chinese society existing right next door.

Yes, live-fire drills are serious. Yes, they can be dangerous. But Taiwan has seen this show before. The world has seen it too. Until China shows real invasion intent rather than staged fury, this is noise more than danger.

ACZ Editor: We believe that these tantrums are beginning to backfire. After the fear of the first few of these, the Taiwanese likely have gone from fear to anger and determination – Taiwan is working to making a Chinese invasion more difficult and more costly. In the event of an invasion, China would probably not care about the cost or lives lost, but they would care about delays in their success, opportunities for Taiwan’s allies to pitch in, and the possibility of embarrassment. Unless the tantrums get closer to shore and “accidently” make contact, Taiwan will not worry.