conflictThursday, July 23, 20262 sources

PLA Conducts Two-Day Live-Fire Drills in Taiwan Strait Amid U.S.-China Talks on Taiwan

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted two-day live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait off Fujian island from July 20 to 21, 2026. The drills followed high-level talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Taiwan’s status. The exercises heightened regional tensions and drew international attention.

The PLA carried out live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait, specifically off the coast of Fujian province, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, July 20–21, 2026. The China Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation warning confirming the exercises, which are part of routine military training. These drills align with the PLA’s annual schedule, focusing on improving capabilities in harsh environments, including extreme heat. The timing of the drills coincided with diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and China on Taiwan’s future, with the U.S. emphasizing a democratically-governed Taiwan and China asserting its claim over the island.

Timelines

US-China Strategic CompetitionUS-China Strategic Competition: Diplomacy and Strategic Alignment

Sources

IndependentThe HinduJul 23, 08:40 PM
China begins two days of live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait

The news comes a day after ‌talks between U.S. Secretary ‌of State ⁠Marco Rubio and ⁠Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on a range of issues, including ​democratically-governed Taiwan, which China ‌claims as its own territory.

IndependentSouth China Morning PostJul 23, 09:16 AM
PLA conducts 2 days of live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait off Fujian island

Mainland China is conducting two-day live-fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait off coastal waters of the southeastern province of Fujian, its maritime authority said. The drill will run from 6am to 6pm on both Thursday and Friday, according to a navigation warning issued by the China Maritime Safety Administration on Wednesday. People’s Liberation Army drills usually peak in mid and late July as the PLA seeks to improve its capacities in harsh environments, including under extreme heat. Based...