The Chinese army announced the mobilization of army, navy, air force and missile units around Taiwan in major military exercises to test what it classified as combat readiness and send a “serious warning” against any attempt at independence this Monday (29).
Taiwan’s government condemned the exercises, accusing China of “military intimidation”.
China has significantly intensified siege exercises on Taiwan since 2022, following then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei, which represented a significant show of support for Taiwan and enraged Beijing’s leadership.
China’s Eastern Theater Command is conducting the latest exercises, called “Mission Just 2025,” in five ocean blocks around the island, including the Taiwan Strait, to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan.
The areas will be under sea and air space restrictions for 10 hours starting at 8:30 am local time.
Shi Yi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command, said the exercises will focus on “training sea and air combat readiness patrols, comprehensive takeover” and “blockade and control of key ports and critical areas.”
The latest exercise follows a , which included HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank and anti-tank missiles, patrol drones, howitzers and military software.
It also comes after Beijing expressed anger over statements by Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who said her country could respond militarily if China tried to take control of Taiwan by force.
“This exercise serves as a serious warning to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external forces that interfere, and is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain national unity,” Shi said.
The Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan, an autonomous and democratic island, as part of its sovereign territory, despite never having controlled it.
In a statement, Taiwanese presidential spokeswoman Karen Kuo said the military exercises “flagrantly undermine the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region” and “openly defy international law and order.”
“We strongly condemn the Chinese authorities’ disregard for international norms and the use of military intimidation to threaten neighboring countries,” Kuo said.
