China Conducts Large-Scale Military Drills Near Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions
China on Monday launched its largest ever military exercises known as Justice Mission 2025
around Taiwan, marking an end to months of relative calm across the Taiwan Strait. The drills involve coordinated deployments of ground forces, naval vessels, fighter jets, drones, and artillery across seven maritime zones encircling Taiwan. This move has led to new tensions between China and Taiwan, with Taiwan accusing China of military intimidation.
Background and Context
The military exercises come after the Trump administration announced plans for arms sales to Taiwan, one of its largest weapons packages to date. This move has been perceived as provocative by Beijing, leading to the large-scale military drills as a warning against external interference
and separatist forces
in Taiwan.
The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) conducted the exercises, which included simulated strikes on land and sea targets, and rehearsals to blockade Taiwan’s main ports. The live-fire exercises are scheduled to continue through Tuesday, with China designating large danger zones for artillery firing closer to Taiwan than in any previous round of drills.
Key Developments
The surprise exercise began less than an hour after it was announced, causing disruption to civilian air and sea traffic. Airlines were forced to reroute flights, and Taiwan's aviation authority had to plan alternative airspace corridors. The drills involved destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers, and drones,
according to the Chinese army. Video footage of the operations revealed soldiers and missiles in action.
China's Eastern Theater Command stated that the exercises are a stern warning against separatist and external forces. The deputy director of information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China further asserted that any act that exceeds the limits will meet our response.
Reactions and Implications
Taiwan condemned what it classified as 'military intimidation' by China. Fears of a potential invasion have been stirred up due to the massive scale of the drills that simulate a blockade of Taiwan, testing US resolve and regional security amid escalating political tensions and arms deals.
The maneuvers also come after several weeks of tensions between Beijing and Japan. Japan's prime minister hinted that Tokyo could potentially intervene to defend Taiwan, further adding to the complex geopolitical scenario.
Conclusion
The large-scale military exercises and the record U.S. arms sale to Taipei have escalated tensions in the region. Observers note that this situation poses a dilemma for the US on how to manage escalation risks in its multipolar rivalry with China and Russia. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s new battleship plan, apparently aimed at deterring China, faces huge implementation hurdles and could cause Beijing to double down on its anti-ship weapons.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely, waiting to see how the escalating tensions between China, Taiwan, and their international partners will be managed.