China on Monday, conducted extensive live-fire military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan, which included blockading operations of major ports and attacking the sea targets. This move was denounced by Taipei and labeled as an escalation of tension that would ultimately destabilize the region.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced that the naval, air force, and rocket units were being moved around Taiwan as part of the encirclement plan, and at the same time, Chinese coast guard ships were carrying out activities which Beijing termed as “law enforcement inspections” close to the outer islands of Taiwan, thereby imposing under-gone inspections. The exercise, named Justice Mission 2025, is being framed by China as a warning to what it calls “Taiwan independence” forces and to foreign powers accused of interference.
The spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theatre Command, Col. Shi Yi, declared that the exercises were a “legitimate and necessary action” in the eyes of China and that they were even a strong warning to the separatists.
The National Defense Ministry of Taiwan issued a rather strong rebuff to the drills, placing the blame on Beijing for escalating the situation and causing trouble in the waters between Taiwan and the mainland. The ministry informed that Taiwan had the right amount of forces in place and had started its own readiness drills in reaction.
“Protecting and promoting democracy and freedom is not provoking anyone,” the ministry explained and pointed out that conduct of Taiwan does not create a reason for hostility toward the island or for changing the current situation forcefully.
The coast guard of Taiwan issued a warning stating that the area where the drills were taking place was a great risk for navigation and fishing activities which could lead to ships operating in the nearby waters being endangered.
China regards Taiwan as a rebellious region and has made it clear more than once that she would resort to force if necessary to bring it under her rule. Military modernisation in Beijing has been quite rapid in recent years with US intelligence estimates even predicting that China plans to have the capability of a full-scale invasion by 2027.
Beijing keeps on insisting on “peaceful reunification”, however, it has resorted to military approaches, airspace incursions and coercive measures to apply pressure on Taiwan. Taiwan’s government and most of its population reject unification under Chinese Communist Party rule, prompting Taipei to strengthen its defence capabilities.
The latest drills come amid strained relations between China and Japan, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Tokyo could be drawn into a conflict if China attacked Taiwan. The exercises also follow US approval of approximately $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan and recent speeches by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledging to enhance combat readiness by 2027.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command said naval and air units approached Taiwan from multiple directions to test rapid manoeuvring, joint sea-air coordination and the ability to impose a comprehensive blockade. Maps released alongside the announcement marked several restricted air and maritime zones near Taiwan’s southern, northern and north-western coasts.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reported that the exercise included ships such as destroyers and frigates, as well as military aircraft like fighters and bombers, drones, and long-range missiles, in addition to anti-submarine warfare and precise hits on ocean targets as scenarios. Also, state media disseminated attractive images of the attacks on the forces labeled as separatists by Beijing and the withdrawal of foreign navies.
Analysts noted that some of the designated exercise zones appear larger and closer to Taiwan’s main island than in previous drills. It is also believed to be the first time the PLA has openly stated that the exercises include practising deterrence against international intervention.
William Yang, senior North-east Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the visibility of PLA aircraft on public radar platforms signalled a deliberate message. “It indicates that the PLA is indeed revealing its increasing anti-access and area-denial capabilities,” he opined.
Justice Mission 2025 is the sixth major PLA exercise that has been carried out with a focus on Taiwan since 2022 when China executed its most considerable military demonstrations after the visit of then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Not long before, the PLA had already executed a two-day operation called Strait Thunder-2025A that could be a precursor for more drills taking place later in the year.
According to Taiwanese security officials, these drills represent a part of the geopolitical tensions between the US and its regional allies that, in turn, put pressure on China. Analysts predict that Beijing is monitoring Washington’s reactions to the current exercises very carefully as it takes its decisions regarding its military strategy in Taiwan for the long term.
