China stages drills around Taiwan, signals tough stance against external interference
China’s military conducted live-fire exercises around Taiwan and said ongoing drills on Tuesday would simulate a blockade of the island’s main ports
China has launched extensive live-fire military drills around Taiwan, deploying air, naval, and rocket forces in large-scale war games that Beijing says are designed to test combat readiness and issue a “stern warning” to what it calls “separatist” forces and foreign interference.
The exercises, which began on Monday, prompted Taiwan to mobilise troops and equipment to rehearse defensive responses. The drills come amid heightened tensions following a recent $11.1bn US arms sale to Taiwan and remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could become involved if China were to attack the self-ruled island.
Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly stated it will take control of the island by force if necessary.
China’s Eastern Theater Command said it had concentrated forces north and southwest of the Taiwan Strait, conducting live-fire exercises and simulated strikes against land and maritime targets. The drills, code-named Just Mission 2025, are set to continue on Tuesday and will include scenarios simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s major ports and the encirclement of the island.
Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Shi Yi said the exercises focus on maritime and aerial patrols, integrated joint operations, sealing off key ports and areas, and conducting multi-dimensional deterrence operations. He described the drills as a serious warning to “Taiwan independence” advocates and external forces.
The manoeuvres represent China’s sixth major round of war games around Taiwan since 2022, following the visit by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. State-run Xinhua described the drills as a “legitimate and necessary” step to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.
The People’s Liberation Army said it had deployed fighter jets, bombers, drones, and long-range rocket systems, practising strikes on mobile land-based targets. Chinese vessels and aircraft are approaching Taiwan from multiple directions in close proximity, with forces conducting joint assault operations to test coordination and combat effectiveness.
Chinese state media reported that the drills focus on cutting off Taiwan’s key deep-water ports, including Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south. Observers noted this marks the first time China has explicitly stated that such exercises are intended to deter foreign military intervention.
Taiwan’s government strongly condemned the drills. A presidential spokesperson urged Beijing not to misjudge the situation or undermine regional stability and called for an immediate halt to what were described as irresponsible provocations.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said Chinese aircraft and naval vessels had been operating around the island over the past 24 hours and confirmed that Taiwan’s military remains on high alert, conducting rapid-response exercises designed to counter a sudden escalation.
The ministry also released footage showcasing military capabilities, including US-supplied HIMARS rocket systems, while Taiwan’s coastguard said it had dispatched vessels to monitor Chinese activity and minimise disruption to shipping and fishing routes.
Taiwan’s aviation authority said China had declared a temporary danger zone in Taipei’s airspace for Tuesday’s live-fire drills and that alternative flight routes were being arranged.
Analysts said the explicit language surrounding the drills signals China’s intent to strengthen anti-access and area-denial capabilities, sending a clear message to Taiwan’s partners, particularly the United States and Japan, that external military support would be blocked in the event of a conflict.
The exercises cover a wider area than previous iterations and demonstrate the PLA’s improved ability to rapidly deploy diverse military assets, highlighting the progress of China’s military modernisation.
The drills follow Washington’s approval of its largest-ever weapons package for Taiwan, a move that drew sharp protests from Beijing, sanctions against US defence firms, and renewed warnings of countermeasures.
Taiwan continues to reject China’s sovereignty claims, insisting that the island’s future can only be determined by its people. President William Lai Ching-te has reiterated that Taiwan must strengthen its defence capabilities to deter aggression, arguing that peace can only be preserved through preparedness and resilience.
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