China unleashed its most expansive military exercises to date around Taiwan on Tuesday, launching rockets into nearby waters and mobilizing warships and aircraft in drills simulating a full blockade of the self-ruled island, amid heightened tensions following a major US arms sale.
The operations, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” spanned 10 hours and targeted five zones surrounding Taiwan, marking Beijing’s closest and largest such maneuvers yet, with rocket fire directed at areas north and south of the island.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command described the activities as testing “sea and air forces’ ability to coordinate for integrated containment and control,” including simulated strikes on maritime and aerial targets, as well as anti-submarine efforts.
A video released by the command depicted a mobile PCH-191 rocket launcher discharging projectiles into the sea from a mainland site, while new amphibious assault ships capable of deploying helicopters, landing craft, and armored vehicles made their debut in the exercises.
The drills focused on blockading key ports like Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south, with over 130 military aircraft and 22 naval and coast guard vessels detected around Taiwan in the preceding 24 hours.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported rocket debris entering its contiguous zone, 24 nautical miles offshore, and noted disruptions to 11 of 14 flight routes, affecting routes to outlying islands and stranding about 6,000 passengers.
President Lai Ching-te assured on social media that frontline forces were ready to safeguard the island but emphasized Taipei’s reluctance to heighten the conflict.
A senior Taiwanese security official told Reuters that authorities were monitoring for potential missile launches over the island, similar to 2022 exercises, and suggested Beijing was rehearsing attacks on systems like the US-supplied HIMARS rockets.
Taiwanese coast guard vessels shadowed 14 Chinese counterparts in the contiguous zone, using “wave-making and manoeuvring techniques” to compel retreats, according to an official.
The maneuvers come just 11 days after Washington approved a $11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the sixth large-scale Chinese drill since 2022, fueled by Beijing’s claims over the democratically governed territory.
Analysts warned of escalating realism in China’s tactics, with Lyle Goldstein of the US think tank Defense Priorities stating: “I do see an increasing level of realism in the exercises and increasing boldness.”
He added that Taiwan’s arms acquisitions are no “silver bullet,” describing the situation as “an arms race Taiwan cannot possibly win.”
A draft Pentagon assessment cited in reports indicates China aims to be prepared for a potential conflict over Taiwan by 2027, the People’s Liberation Army’s centenary.
Experts noted a blockade could halt $2.45 trillion in annual Taiwan Strait trade and disrupt global aviation, underscoring the drills’ potential real-world impact.
