China conducted extensive live-firing exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, marking the second day of what has been described as its largest military drills yet. The exercises, which lasted for ten hours, are part of a strategy aimed at severing Taiwan’s connections to external support in the event of a conflict.
The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese military announced that the drills would continue until 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) across five designated locations in both sea and airspace surrounding Taiwan. This display of military strength underscores China’s commitment to “combat separatism and promote unification without hesitation.”
In a significant escalation, the Maritime Safety Administration designated two additional zones for live-firing exercises on Monday, making the ongoing “Justice Mission 2025” drills the most extensive to date. These areas are closer to Taiwan than previous military exercises, amplifying concerns in the region.
The timing of these war games is critical. They commenced just 11 days after the United States announced a record arms package to Taiwan valued at $11.1 billion. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, with the Chinese defense ministry warning that it would respond with “forceful measures” to any perceived threats.
Analysts suggest that these military exercises, which represent the sixth major round of drills since 2022, are designed to simulate a rapid encirclement of Taiwan. The objective appears to be the destruction of Taiwan’s weapons stockpile while obstructing resupply efforts from Japan or nearby U.S. military bases.
A senior security official from Taiwan, who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the situation, described the drills as a “blatant provocation” in the international arena. The official emphasized the significance of the region, stating, “As one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, they seek to reshape the international order according to their own agenda.”
Taipei is closely monitoring the situation, particularly whether China will escalate its actions during the drills, potentially involving missile flights over Taiwan, similar to maneuvers conducted in 2022. The unnamed official remarked, “China is trying to make progress in asserting dominance over the entire island chain through extreme pressure tactics in various ways.”
The Chinese military has deployed destroyers, bombers, and other units to conduct various operations, including sea-based assaults and anti-submarine drills, aiming to test the coordination of its sea and air forces for integrated containment and control.
Taiwan continues to reject China’s claims of sovereignty over the island, asserting that only its people can determine the future of Taiwan. The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the heightened tensions in this strategically important region.
Reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing and Yimou Lee in Taipei; Editing by Lincoln Feast.
