China's Dalian Maritime Safety Administration announced on November 22, 2025, that military operations will be conducted in designated areas of the Bohai Strait and northern Yellow Sea from 4 p.m. on November 23 to 4 p.m. on December 7. The notice explicitly prohibits maritime traffic in the specified zones during this period.
Impact on Regional Navigation: The operations, described as routine exercises, are expected to temporarily affect shipping routes in one of East Asia's busiest maritime corridors. Authorities emphasized adherence to safety protocols but did not disclose specific operational details.
Strategic Context: These drills occur amid ongoing efforts to modernize defense capabilities across the Chinese mainland. Analysts note such exercises align with annual training schedules, though their timing draws attention to regional security dynamics as 2025 concludes.
Commercial vessels operating near the Bohai Strait – a critical gateway to Tianjin and other northern ports – have been advised to monitor official updates through maritime channels.
