The Chinese People's Liberation Army's eastern theatre command continued its military drills around Taiwan for a second consecutive day on December 30, involving naval, air and ground forces in what it described as a demonstration of joint operational and blockade capabilities.
During the exercises, H-6K bombers carried out simulated precision strikes against designated targets in Taiwan. The drills were aimed at testing the PLA troops' ability to conduct joint operations and enforce a regional blockade.
IMAGE: PLA ground forces take part in long-range live-fire drills targeting waters north of Taiwan from an undisclosed location in this screenshot from a video released by the PLA's eastern theatre command, here and below. Photograph: Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters
Photograph: Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters
Photograph: Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters
Photograph: Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters
IMAGE: A Taiwan air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet approaches Hsinchu air base as China conducts military drills around Taiwan. Photograph: Tsai Hsin-Han/Reuters
IMAGE: A Taiwan coast guard vessel travels near a China coast guard vessel as China conducts military drills around Taiwan, in this handout image provided December 30, 2025. Photograph: Taiwan Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters
IMAGE: Smoke rises from a weapon on a PLA ship after it was fired during drills east of Taiwan. Photograph: Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters
IMAGE: A giant city in Beijing screens news on China's military drills around Taiwan. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Photographs curated and feature presented by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
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