Mainland China stepping up preparations for Taiwan blockade, report says
The defence ministry's '2026 China Military Power Report' states that recent PLA exercises are increasingly focused on the 'joint blockade and control' of Taiwan's external air and sea routes. The exercises aim to strengthen the PLA's ability to target Taiwan and conduct anti-access and area-denial operations to counter potential foreign intervention.
Why it matters: This report highlights the theme of cross-strait military escalation, as Beijing continues to prepare for potential blockade operations against Taiwan.