China Conducts Military Exercises Near Taiwan
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has entered the second day of extensive military operations, which include live-fire drills and patrols around Taiwan. Dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” these exercises are intended to showcase China’s capability to block any external support for Taiwan, a territory it claims as its own.
Officials in Taiwan reported that some of the live rounds from China’s drills landed closer to their shores than previously noted.
As the end of 2025 approaches, these military maneuvers have not only escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait but also started to affect the daily lives of those in the region.
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration has marked seven temporary “danger zones” within the strait, leading to significant disruptions. More than 150 flights—both international and domestic—were reportedly altered, delayed, or canceled as of Tuesday afternoon.
In a commentary released late Monday, China’s state news agency, Xinhua, claimed the exercises convey a firm message: “China is prepared to thwart any attempts to separate Taiwan from China.” They further suggested that as tensions rise, China would respond with stronger measures.
Accusations were directed towards Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party for leaning too heavily toward the U.S. and associated arms deals, allegedly ignoring public sentiment and binding Taiwan to a path of dangerous separation.
During the exercises, the PLA deployed various military assets, including destroyers, frigates, and bombers, to evaluate their sea-air coordination and blockade capabilities. Ground forces undertook long-range drills off Taiwan’s northern coast and simulated joint attacks with naval and air forces in waters to the south.
Taiwanese intelligence noted that some of the 27 rockets launched during the drills fell within Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile maritime boundary. Taiwan’s intelligence chief, Hsieh Chi-sheng, remarked, “The impact points are certainly closer this time, and that seems deliberate.”
Monitoring the Situation
President Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan would not escalate the situation further, aiming for a responsible approach amidst the exercises.
Between early Monday and Tuesday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry tracked 130 aircraft and 14 warships in the vicinity of the island. Additionally, approximately 90 Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the strait. A Chinese military balloon was also detected during this time.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the ministry reported spotting 71 aircraft and an increasing number of naval vessels as part of the ongoing drills, which had affected a total of 941 flights.
Even though Taiwan’s military might not be the strongest, Xie noted that their training regimen had clearly increased in scale during each exercise compared to the last.
China has reiterated its commitment to reclaiming Taiwan, stating that military action might be necessary. This rhetoric has tended to aggravate the ongoing tensions in the region.
Tensions Rise with Japan
Compounded by the Taiwan issue, tensions have also flared between China and Japan. Recent statements from Japanese officials suggesting military involvement if China were to act against Taiwan sparked a strong response from Beijing. The historical distrust towards Japan persists in China, arising from Japan’s wartime actions.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized so-called “pro-independence forces” in both Japan and Taiwan, asserting that Japan’s leaders challenge China’s sovereignty and international norms.
In light of escalating military exercises, Chen Wen-chen, president of the Keelung District Fishermen’s Association in Taiwan, remarked on the detrimental impact on local fishermen’s livelihoods, prompting them to issue warnings about where the Chinese drills were taking place.
China’s military drills seem to have a significant impact, not only ramping up military presence but interfering with everyday life for those dependent on the sea for their livelihood.
