Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on December 5. (©Kyodo)
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China's unprecedented naval deployment of over 100 ships across East Asia signals a deliberate escalation of tensions. It reflects the CCP's increasingly assertive posture toward Taiwan, Japan, and the wider region. This maneuver, far from routine drills, underscores Beijing's intent to project dominance and test the limits of its neighbors' responses.
The sudden surge of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels, peaking at more than 100 ships in early December 2025, has been described by intelligence sources as the largest maritime show of force in East Asia's modern history. Stretching from the Yellow Sea through the East China Sea, down into the South China Sea, and extending into the western Pacific, this deployment is not symbolic but strategic.
What Chinese Vessels are Doing
The vessels have engaged in simulated attacks and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) operations. These tactics are designed to isolate conflict zones and prevent external reinforcements from entering. Such maneuvers go beyond defensive needs, suggesting Beijing is rehearsing scenarios for potential confrontation.
Observers note that this escalation followed two political developments: Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statement that Tokyo could respond militarily to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's announcement of an additional $40 billion in defense spending. Beijing's reaction was swift and disproportionate. It summoned Japan's ambassador and mobilized a fleet larger than its December 2024 surge. By December 4, the number of active ships remained above 90, signaling sustained pressure rather than a temporary exercise.
Posture Toward Japan and Taiwan
China's hegemony is most visible in its posture toward Taiwan and Japan. It is persistently creating disturbance across the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
Taiwan has reported four Chinese naval formations in the Western Pacific, while Japan's Self-Defense Forces remain on alert.
The contested Senkaku Islands, claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing but administered by Tokyo, have seen increased Chinese patrols. According to regional security officials, Chinese vessels have intruded into Japan's territorial waters more than 30 times in 2025. This is a sharp rise from 18 incidents in 2024.
Meanwhile, Taiwan recorded over 1,700 Chinese military aircraft incursions into its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) this year, compared to 1,500 in 2024. These figures highlight how Beijing's maritime and aerial assertiveness is destabilizing the fragile equilibrium of East Asia.
Critics argue that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is deliberately stockpiling resources and preparing for conflict. Reports suggest Beijing has accelerated procurement of fuel, grain, and rare earth minerals, raising suspicions of war preparation.
Regional and International Response
Analysts point to synchronized maritime operations involving over 100 Chinese vessels as evidence of advanced fleet coordination, reducing response time for nearby militaries. This level of organization indicates not only military readiness but also a political message: China is willing to challenge the existing security architecture dominated by the United States and its allies.
The CCP's assertiveness is not confined to maritime maneuvers. Domestically, the government has tightened control over dissent, reinforcing nationalist narratives that justify external aggression.
Internationally, Beijing has expanded its influence through economic coercion, leveraging trade dependencies to silence criticism. The Belt and Road Initiative continues to entrench Chinese presence in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, military bases in Djibouti and Cambodia extend Beijing's reach. Such moves reflect a broader strategy of encirclement, where military, economic, and diplomatic tools converge to project power.
Regional responses remain cautious but wary. Taiwan's leadership has reassured its citizens of international cooperation. Meanwhile, Japan has avoided direct confrontation, instead emphasizing long-term naval modernization. The United States has increased surveillance flights and naval patrols, signalling deterrence without escalation.
Yet, the divergence in assessments ー some dismissing the deployment as routine, others warning of imminent danger ー underscores the difficulty in deciphering Beijing's true intent. What is clear, however, is that China's actions set a volatile precedent, normalizing large-scale mobilizations that erode trust and heighten the risk of miscalculation.
Chinese Hegemony on Full Display
China's naval surge is not an isolated incident but part of a calculated strategy to assert dominance in East Asia. By stockpiling resources, rehearsing A2/AD operations, and sustaining pressure on Taiwan and Japan, the CCP is signaling readiness for confrontation.
This aggressive posture destabilizes regional security and challenges international norms. Furthermore, it raises the specter of conflict in waters vital to global trade. The world must recognize that Beijing's maneuvers are not defensive but hegemonic, designed to reshape the balance of power in its favor.
Japan and Taiwan should stay firm and prepared. But never fear, we have a Tibetan proverb that a "barking dog" can never bite.
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Author: Professor Pema Gyalpo, PHD
Dr Pema Gyalpo is a Visiting Professor at the Takushoku University Center for Indo-Pacific Strategic Studies.
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