China has escalated military pressure on Taiwan by surrounding the island with two aircraft carrier strike groups and dozens of warships in one of the most sweeping displays of force in the region to date.

According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, 30 unregistered vessels were spotted near the Penghu Archipelago on May 19, while Chinese state media confirmed the deployment of two carrier groups to the north and south of Taiwan throughout May. The total number of naval vessels in the region fluctuated between 50 and 70, indicating a sustained maritime presence.

Air and Sea Drills Escalate

The Chinese military’s operations included the movement of vessels through the Miyako Strait into the Western Pacific, as well as frequent airspace incursions. A total of 75 military aircraft reportedly took part in combat-readiness exercises that raised regional alert levels.

Beijing appears to be refining its "grey zone" warfare tactics—aggressive maneuvers short of open conflict—to wear down Taiwan’s defense capabilities and signal strategic dominance in the region.

U.S. Issues Stern Warning

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, accused China of attempting to alter the Indo-Pacific balance through force. “The threat is real and imminent,” he said, adding that Washington stands firmly with allies in the region.

In response, Beijing lodged a diplomatic protest and reiterated that Taiwan is an “inseparable part” of China, refusing to rule out the use of military force to assert control.

Background: Pressure Without Invasion

While the scale of the deployment has raised alarms, analysts suggest China may still prefer to avoid outright amphibious assault. Instead, Beijing seems to be executing a slow squeeze strategy—using economic, political, and military tools to coerce Taiwan into submission without full-scale war.

The maneuvers follow months of heightened tension and mark one of the largest military movements around Taiwan since the 2022 U.S. visit by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.