China Conducts Military Drills Around Taiwan in Warning to External Forces

China Announces Military Drills Around Taiwan

The Chinese military has announced plans for a series of live-fire exercises around Taiwan, which will take place from 8am to 6pm GMT on Tuesday in five designated zones surrounding the island. The drills are part of China’s “Just Mission 2025” and will involve army, navy, air force, and rocket force troops.

According to the Eastern Theatre Command, the activities will focus on training for maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, gaining integrated control, sealing off key ports and areas, and conducting multi-dimensional deterrence. The drills are aimed at testing combat readiness and delivering a warning against “separatist” and “external interference” forces.

The Chinese military has deployed fighter jets, bombers, unmanned aerial vehicles, and long-range rockets for the exercises. Vessels and aircraft will approach Taiwan from different directions, while troops of multiple services will engage in joint assaults to test their joint operations capabilities.

Taiwan’s government has condemned the drills, urging China not to misjudge the situation and undermine regional peace. The Taiwanese presidential office has called on Beijing to immediately halt what they described as irresponsible provocations.

The Chinese military has stated that the drills are a legitimate action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity. This marks the sixth major round of war games since 2022, following a visit by then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

China’s state broadcaster has reported that the drills will focus on sealing off Taiwan’s vital deep-water Port of Keelung to the island’s north and Kaohsiung to Taiwan’s south. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has also stated that it will practise striking mobile land-based targets.

The drills have been described as a serious warning to “Taiwan Independence” separatist forces and external interference forces. A separate statement with a map showed the five large zones surrounding the island where live firing activities will be organised from 8am to 6pm on Tuesday.

Source: Al Jazeera