The island’s Defense Ministry said it detected 89 Chinese military planes near its territory, the highest number in a single day since October 2024.
It has started military exercises with live ammunition around , which will simulate the blockade of important ports on the democratically-ruled island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. The island’s Defense Ministry said it detected 89 Chinese military planes near its territory, the highest number in a single day since October 2024.
The maneuvers, which were called “Mission Justice 2025”, involve the participation of destroyers, frigates, soldiers, bombers and drones that carry out “training with live ammunition against maritime targets to the north and southwest of Taiwan”, stated the Chinese Army.
The activities will focus on “sea-land combat capability, jointly seizing broad superiority, blocking ports and crucial areas,” explained Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese Armed Forces, in a statement. After the exercises began, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that any attempt to obstruct Taiwan’s unification with China “is doomed to failure.”
“External forces trying to use Taiwan to contain China and supplying weapons to Taiwan will only encourage independence arrogance and push the Taiwan Strait into a dangerous situation of imminent war,” said spokesman Lin Jian.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) displayed a map with five large zones around Taiwan where maneuvers with “live ammunition” will be organized and recommended that “any unrelated vessel or aircraft avoid entering the aforementioned waters and airspace.” According to Taiwanese authorities, some zones are less than 12 nautical miles from its coast and affect international maritime and air transport routes.
Officially recognized by just over ten countries, the island has its own government, army and currency. It also counts on the United States as its main supplier of weapons and security. At the beginning of the month, the White House approved an arms sale valued at 11.1 billion dollars (61.5 billion reais) to Taipei, which provoked an indignant reaction from the Chinese government.
President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about the maneuvers and appeared to downplay the possibility of his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, ordering an invasion. “I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn’t said anything to me about it,” Trump told reporters, when consulted about these maneuvers. “I don’t think he’s going to do that,” Trump said, in an apparent reference to an invasion.
*With information from AFP
