Dongshan Island

Dongshan Island, located off the coast of Fujian province in southeastern China, has recently been the site of live-fire military exercises conducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in the Taiwan Strait. These drills, which occurred in July 2026, prompted maritime authorities to issue warnings and restrict access to the drill zones, highlighting the island's strategic position in a sensitive geopolitical area. Historically, Dongshan Island also holds significance as a location of a major assault by Kuomintang forces during the Korean War in July 1953. This historical event is notable as it occurred around the time of stalled armistice talks and led to the loss of many lives, including soldiers who fought in the conflict. The recent military exercises underscore Dongshan Island's ongoing relevance as a point of military activity and its connection to China's historical and contemporary strategic interests in the region.