China is preparing for a significant military exercise, dubbed Strait Thunder 2025B, expected to take place soon as August marks the peak of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) annual training season. The announcement follows the first major drill of the year, Strait Thunder 2025A, which occurred earlier this month.
The PLA has a history of conducting closely-timed military drills around Taiwan, with the previous exercises, Joint Sword 2024A and 2024B, occurring within four months of each other. Given this pattern, military analysts anticipate that Strait Thunder 2025B will commence shortly, possibly in early September.
This year's exercises come amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, where China's military activities have drawn scrutiny from both Taiwan and the international community. The drills are seen as a show of force, reinforcing China's claims over the self-governing island, which it views as a breakaway province.
As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring China's military posture. Similar situations have arisen in other regions, such as recent developments in Ukraine, where tensions with Belarus have prompted warnings against provocative military drills. The implications of China's upcoming exercise on regional security remain to be seen.
