Invasion Rehearsal on Taiwan’s Beaches

Map showing Taiwan and parts of China, including cities and geographical features

China sent over 100 vessels and repeated combat patrols around Taiwan right after the Trump-Xi summit — and Taiwan is now drilling on its beaches to prepare for an invasion.

Story Highlights

China launched at least two “combat readiness patrols” around Taiwan in a single week, sending 21 military aircraft and multiple warships.
Taiwan’s National Security Council reported China deployed more than 100 vessels near the island following the Trump-Xi Beijing summit.
Taiwan responded by scrambling fighter jets and naval ships, and has been running beach drills to simulate a Chinese amphibious invasion.
President Trump authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December 2025, but delivery has not yet moved forward.

China Sends Warships and Jets — Twice in One Week

Taiwan’s defense ministry detected 21 Chinese military aircraft — including J-16 fighters and drones — operating around the island in a single patrol. ^[1] This was the second such patrol in one week. Taiwan scrambled its own jets and naval vessels to monitor the activity. China’s People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command called these “combat readiness patrols” designed to test rapid troop movement and the ability to surround the island. ^[2] Taiwan and most outside observers see them as deliberate pressure.

The patrols did not stop there. Taiwan’s National Security Council reported that China deployed more than 100 vessels near the island in the days following the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing. ^[13] That number includes coast guard ships and government vessels, not just warships. Taiwan’s defense ministry called the coast guard activity “provocative” and accused Beijing of using these patrols as a form of psychological warfare to expand its reach east of the island. ^[6]

Taiwan Drills on the Beach for an Amphibious Attack

Taiwan is not sitting still. The island’s military has been running beach drills that simulate a Chinese amphibious invasion — practicing how to defend its coastline if Chinese forces tried to land troops. Taiwan also recently unveiled three military robot dog prototypes built on American Ghost Robotics platforms, designed to strengthen ground defenses. These steps show Taiwan is treating the threat as real and preparing its forces for a fight, not just a diplomatic disagreement.

The pattern of Chinese military pressure around Taiwan has grown more persistent over the years. China launched its first major military drills encircling Taiwan in August 2022. ^[4] Since then, Beijing has normalized repeated naval and air operations near the island. Each time China runs these operations, it resets what counts as “routine,” making it harder for Taiwan and its allies to draw a clear line between normal activity and a genuine buildup toward conflict. ^[9]

Where the Trump Administration Stands

The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing focused heavily on trade and business ties. ^[11] Taiwan policy stayed in the background, but it was never far from view. Before the summit, a U.S. Navy ship patrolled the Taiwan Strait — a signal of American commitment to keeping the waterway open. ^[8] China responded with military maneuvers of its own. The back-and-forth shows how fragile the situation remains even when diplomacy is front and center.

The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the 🇹🇼Republic of China Army Guandu Area Command conducted a combat readiness patrol to simulate countering threats against port facilities in Keelung, northern Taiwan, on 6/5.

(Youth Daily News) pic.twitter.com/bzxmGeYe9p

— Taiwan Defense News Tracker 🇹🇼 (@TaiwansDefense) June 6, 2026

Trump approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December 2025, but delivery has stalled. ^[11] Taiwan’s leader responded publicly after the summit, watching closely for any sign that Washington might soften its support. ^[10] For Taiwan, the stakes could not be higher. For American conservatives who believe in standing up to communist aggression and protecting free nations, the combination of stalled arms deliveries and growing Chinese military pressure around a democratic ally is exactly the kind of signal Beijing watches for — and exactly the kind of moment that demands clarity, not ambiguity.