CHINA said on Monday it had begun “large-scale” military exercises around Taiwan, with live-fire activities scheduled for Tuesday across five designated zones in waters and airspace near the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.
In a statement, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, said the drills would involve coordinated operations by multiple branches of China’s armed forces.
“Starting from December 29, the PLA Eastern Theater Command will deploy its army, navy, air force and rocket force to carry out joint military exercises codenamed ‘Justice Mission 2025’,” AFP cited him saying, using the official acronym for China’s military.
A separate statement accompanied by a map identified five large areas surrounding Taiwan where “live-fire activities will be organised” from 8am to 6pm on Tuesday, or 0000 to 1000 GMT.
“For safety reasons, any unrelated vessels or aircraft are advised not to enter the previously mentioned waters and airspace,” the statement said.
The show of force follows weeks of rising tensions between China and Japan, sparked by remarks suggesting Tokyo could potentially support Taiwan in the event of a future armed conflict.
It also comes after the latest round of US arms sales to Taipei, which prompted a strong response from Beijing. Last week, China imposed sanctions on 20 US defence companies over the sales.
Shi said the exercises were intended as a clear political and military signal to Taipei.
“The drills are a stern warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and unity,” he said.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, while Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and has stepped up defence cooperation with the United States and its regional partners.
The latest exercises are expected to heighten regional concern as military activity around Taiwan continues to intensify against a backdrop of strained relations among major powers in the Asia-Pacific. - December 29, 2025
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