Australia Raises Alarm Over PLA's Expansive Taiwan Military Exercises Amid Regional Tension
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China conducted significant military drills near Taiwan, with 27 missiles fired from the Chinese coast into waters close to Taiwan, some landing within or near Taiwan's 24-nautical mile contiguous zone. Notably, these missiles came closer to the main island of Taiwan than in previous exercises.
On Monday, the PLA launched an expansive surprise attack simulation dubbed Justice Mission 2025, marking the sixth major Taiwan-focused military exercise since 2022. Within a 24-hour period starting 6am Monday, Taiwan detected approximately 130 PLA warplanes, 28 naval ships including amphibious assault ships, and one surveillance balloon. Analysts observed that several PLA aircraft remained visible on radar throughout the period, noting the drills as an explicit effort to deter international involvement.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded by describing the exercises as deeply concerning and destabilising. The department opposed actions that increase risks of accident, miscalculation, or escalation, and urged dialogue while opposing any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
This exercise follows other significant operations like Strait Thunder-2025A held in April 2025 and reflects Beijing's continuing approach towards Taiwan, which it regards as a Chinese province it aims to annex militarily. US intelligence has previously estimated China could have the capability to invade Taiwan by 2027.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated he has a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed that he does not believe an invasion of Taiwan is imminent, adding that he is not worried.
