China’s military deployed army, naval, air force, and rocket force units around Taiwan on Monday for its “Just Mission 2025” drills, aimed at testing combat readiness and sending a “stern warning” against moves toward Taiwanese independence.
The Eastern Theatre Command said the exercises will include live-fire drills on Tuesday and issued a graphic showing five zones surrounding the island that will have restricted sea and airspace for 10 hours from 8:30 a.m. (0030 GMT).
This marks China’s sixth major round of war games since 2022, following then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-governed island, and comes amid heightened Chinese rhetoric over Beijing’s territorial claims. Tensions rose further after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.
“This exercise serves as a serious warning to ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces,” said Shi Yi, spokesperson for China’s Eastern Theatre Command. “The drills focus on maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, gaining integrated control, sealing off key ports and areas, and conducting multi-dimensional deterrence.”
The military also released a poster titled Shields of Justice: Smashing Illusions, featuring two golden shields emblazoned with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army insignia and the Great Wall of China, alongside three military aircraft and two ships.
Taiwan’s defence ministry did not immediately comment.
While the PLA conducted port blockades around Taiwan in previous drills last year, this is the first time it has publicly stated that the exercises are aimed at deterring outside military intervention.
The drills began 11 days after the U.S. announced $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan — the largest weapons package ever for the island — prompting protests from China’s defence ministry and warnings that the military would “take forceful measures” in response.
