China and Russia Criticize US Actions in Venezuela
In a recent broadcast on “Fox News Live,” former CIA Director Dan Hoffman reacted to statements from China and Russia condemning U.S. military pressure on Venezuela, particularly amid an ongoing blockade impacting the nation’s economy.
On another front, China initiated its largest military maneuvers ever around Taiwan on Monday, deploying warships, aircraft, and conducting live-fire drills as tensions rise, notably following substantial U.S. arms sales to the region.
The exercise, termed “Justice Mission 2025,” involves synchronized movements of ground forces, naval units, fighter jets, drones, and artillery across seven maritime zones surrounding Taiwan. The Eastern Theater Command of China confirmed that the drills included simulated attacks on land and at sea, as well as preparations for blockading Taiwan’s key ports—actions that analysts view as critical in any effort to isolate Taiwan.
Planned to last until Tuesday, this live-fire exercise has created a vast danger zone that is closer to Taiwan than in any past drills. As a result, civilian air and sea traffic have already been significantly disrupted, leading airlines to adjust flight paths and Taiwan’s aviation authorities to devise alternative airspace routes.
Chinese military representatives justified these maneuvers as a reaction to separatism and foreign interference. Senior Colonel Shi Yi from the Eastern Theater Command referred to the drills as a firm warning against “Taiwan independence” and viewed it as necessary to protect China’s sovereignty and unity.
This rise in military activity has followed shortly after the U.S. authorized an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan—the largest of its kind. Beijing condemned this deal, asserting that it could convert Taiwan into a “powder keg” and heighten the risk of military conflict in the area.
The armament package comprises 82 HIMARS rocket launchers and 420 ATACMS long-range missiles, enhancing Taiwan’s strike capabilities across the Taiwan Strait. It also includes 60 self-propelled howitzers, sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems, military software, and anti-armor munitions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia-kun stated that forces in Taiwan pursuing independence are wastefully spending on arms, ultimately endangering the island’s future and escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. He insisted that U.S. military support for Taiwan’s independence would eventually backfire.
As the drills unfolded, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported that 89 Chinese military aircraft, alongside 14 naval and 14 coast guard ships, were operating in the vicinity of the island while additional warships appeared off the western Pacific coast. Tensions heightened as some Chinese vessels came dangerously close to Taiwanese ones within the island’s contiguous zone.
Hsieh Chi-sheng, Taiwan’s intelligence chief, expressed concerns about these live-fire drills as not only a means of military intimidation but also as a potential spark for complex regional challenges.
Taiwan has heightened its military alertness, ready to conduct rapid response exercises if needed. The Department of Defense shared a video highlighting capabilities, including the U.S.-supplied HIMARS, while the Coast Guard dispatched larger patrol vessels to monitor nearby Chinese vessels.
Chinese state media noted that the drills emphasize strategies for blockading Taiwan’s main deep-water ports, like Keelung and Kaohsiung, suggesting that Beijing is exploring options that might not involve a full-scale invasion.
China has also circulated propaganda videos showcasing advanced military capabilities, including autonomous robots and weaponized drones attacking Taiwan, which analysts suggest could support an amphibious assault.
“I think these drills are just to scare us,” said Lin Weiming, a 31-year-old teacher in Taipei. “This type of training has happened before… it’s really up to Taiwan’s current government to decide how we respond.”
China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the option of using force to take control. Conversely, Taiwan insists that only its citizens should determine their future.
