TAIPEI, Taiwan: China has carried out a large, unannounced military exercise across the western Pacific and around Taiwan, deploying more than 100 naval and coast guard vessels to project military strength ahead of major international meetings.

A senior Taiwanese security official said the exercises took place in early November and involved simulated attacks on military forces and cities, including those in Taiwan. The official described the operation as a campaign of silent intimidation designed to pressure Taiwan and other governments without triggering a major international response.

The deployment was larger than China's last officially announced military exercises, known as Justice Mission 2025, which targeted Taiwan nearly a year ago. It was also among the largest Chinese naval deployments recorded so far, the official said.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory and has increased military pressure on the island over the past five years. The actions have drawn strong criticism from Taipei and raised concerns among Western countries about the possibility of a conflict.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a major policy speech on Taiwan on November 12, calling for peaceful reunification. However, he did not mention the possible use of force.

During the latest exercises, a Chinese submarine also launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Yellow Sea towards mainland China, the Taiwanese official said.

Describing the operation, the official said, "It is a silent exercise — and in effect, silent intimidation."

The official compared the military pressure to a robber secretly pointing a gun at a bank teller to force the person to hand over money without setting off an alarm or attracting a large police response.

China's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan's defense ministry referred to comments made by Defense Minister Wellington Koo earlier this week. He said China was conducting area-denial exercises in the western Pacific involving an aircraft carrier and other naval forces.

Beijing has said the aircraft carrier was taking part in routine exercises that were not directed at any particular country. However, China has never ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control.

The military activity comes ahead of two major diplomatic gatherings. Next week, world powers will attend a summit of Southeast Asian nations hosted by the Philippines.

China will also host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Shenzhen. US President Donald Trump and Xi are expected to meet for the third time this year. Taiwan is also a member of APEC.

A foreign intelligence source told Reuters that China's decision to conduct the exercises without publicly announcing them appeared deliberate. It allowed Beijing to maintain military pressure while avoiding a diplomatic backlash.

The source added that the later months of the year were normally chosen for Chinese military exercises because weather conditions were generally calmer.

Coordinated Naval Forces

The exercises involved naval forces from China's eastern, northern and southern theatre commands, according to the Taiwanese security official.

The scale of the operation suggested that Beijing was practicing not only a possible blockade of Taiwan but also wider military operations across the western Pacific.

The official said the exercises also showed China's efforts to combine its regional naval forces into a single force capable of operating far from its mainland.

Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu posted details of the latest Chinese military movements on X late on November 12.