China Conducts Largest-Ever Military Drills Surrounding Taiwan Amidst US Arms Sale
China has launched its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan, named Justice Mission 2025, involving warships, fighter jets, drones, and live-fire drills across seven maritime zones encircling the island. These drills include simulated strikes on land and sea targets along with rehearsals to blockade Taiwan's main ports, aiming to seal off deep-water ports such as Keelung and Kaohsiung, signaling blockade options short of an invasion.
The live-fire drills are scheduled to run through Tuesday, with larger danger zones closer to Taiwan than previous rounds. These activities have disrupted civilian air and sea traffic, leading airlines to reroute flights while Taiwan plans alternative airspace corridors.
The exercises follow a recent U.S. approval of an $11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the largest such sale to date. This package includes 82 HIMARS launchers equipped with 420 ATACMS missiles, 60 self-propelled howitzers, UAVs, software, and anti-armor weapons.
Taiwan reported the presence of 89 Chinese aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and 14 coast guard ships operating around the island, with some vessels engaging in close standoffs approximately 24 nautical miles from shore.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the arms sale, stating that it supports Taiwan independence and will ultimately backfire, neither preserving independence nor preventing increased confrontation. The Eastern Theater Command described the drills as a stern warning against Taiwan independence and external interference, asserting that these actions are legitimate measures to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity.
State media highlighted the use of robotic and drone warfare imagery during the exercises, emphasizing China's strategic capabilities in the region.
