A fleet of Chinese H-6K bombers recently conducted “confrontation drills” near Taiwan, Chinese state media reported late Sunday — a move coming just days before a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
According to the report, aircraft from China’s Eastern Theatre Command carried out “combat-oriented” exercises designed to test capabilities such as air blockades and precision strikes. “Several J-10 fighter jets flew in formation toward a designated target area, while multiple H-6K bombers conducted simulated confrontation drills around the waters and airspace near Taiwan,” Chinese state television’s military channel posted on Weibo. The report did not specify when or where the drills took place.
The H-6K is a long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry has not reported any unusual military activity around the island in recent days. In its routine update on Monday, the ministry said it had detected four Chinese military aircraft — three fighter jets flying over the Taiwan Strait and one support aircraft to the southwest of Taiwan — within the previous 24 hours.
In its broadcast, Chinese state television asserted that defending “national sovereignty and territorial integrity” and ensuring the “peace and happiness of hundreds of millions of people” remain China’s solemn commitment. The accompanying video showed bombs being dropped during drills, with one pilot remarking that “the coast of Taiwan can be clearly made out,” though it was unclear if any land was visible in the footage.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Chinese leaders are expected to meet this week during a regional summit in South Korea to discuss ongoing trade tensions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Taiwan “should not be worried” about the upcoming talks.
Taiwan, which rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, has maintained strong though unofficial ties with Washington. The United States remains legally obligated to provide Taipei with defensive support under the Taiwan Relations Act.
On Saturday, a senior Chinese official reiterated that Beijing seeks “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s handover from Japan to China at the end of World War II.
Responding in an interview with Taiwanese YouTubers, President Lai Ching-te emphasized that peace must be grounded in strength. “We have ideals of peace, but cannot be naïve enough to believe a piece of paper can guarantee it,” he said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to boosting defence spending.
Beijing has repeatedly dismissed Lai’s calls for dialogue, branding him a “separatist.” Lai, however, insists that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine the island’s future.
