China’s naval activities in the Western Pacific have become a major regional security issue after Taiwan’s defence minister confirmed that Chinese forces were conducting what he described as area-denial exercises involving the Liaoning aircraft carrier group and other naval formations.

Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo said China had conducted the exercises in the Western Pacific, where military deployments could complicate the ability of outside forces to intervene in a conflict involving Taiwan.

The military concept of anti-access/area denial, commonly abbreviated as A2AD, involves using military capabilities to prevent an opposing force from entering or operating effectively within a particular geographical area. In the context of Taiwan, such capabilities could be used to restrict the movement of US forces and other potential allies during a military crisis.

The latest concerns followed reports that more than 100 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels had been operating across the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea and wider Pacific region. Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu had previously published information about the deployments.

Taiwan’s defence authorities also reported increased Chinese military aircraft activity around the island. The military movements have attracted attention because Beijing has not publicly announced a new large-scale exercise corresponding to the reported deployments.

China previously described the Liaoning carrier group’s Western Pacific training as a routine annual exercise designed to test long-range operational capabilities. Beijing maintained that the activity was not directed at any particular country.

Koo said Taiwan was monitoring the developments and would strengthen cooperation with partners in intelligence gathering and surveillance.

He said: “China has indeed conducted area denial drills in the Western Pacific with the Liaoning [遼寧] carrier group and other naval training formations,”

He also warned: “We believe that this kind of military deterrence is intended to undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,”

Koo added: “We will use joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance means and exchange intelligence with allies to continuously monitor these activities and respond appropriately.”

The exercises come ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit scheduled to take place in Shenzhen next week, where US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taiwan is also preparing for local elections scheduled for November 28.

The timing has intensified attention on the relationship between military activity and diplomatic engagement. While Beijing and Washington are preparing for high-level discussions, Taiwan remains concerned about China’s military pressure and the possibility of a crisis in the Taiwan Strait.