China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan, a move Beijing describes as a stern warning to “separatist forces” on the island and “external interference” by foreign powers. The exercises — dubbed Justice Mission 2025 — come amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait following recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and regional diplomatic friction, underscoring the enduring volatility of cross-strait relations.
Scope and Purpose of the Drills
China’s Eastern Theater Command announced that it has mobilised elements of the army, navy, air force and rocket force to conduct joint military exercises surrounding Taiwan Island and in the Taiwan Strait. The drills — scheduled to include live-fire exercises, aerial and naval manoeuvres, simulated port blockades and combat readiness patrols — are intended to test the PLA’s integrated operations and joint combat capabilities.
A spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command stated that the exercises are aimed at deterring “Taiwan Independence separatist forces” and warning external powers against interference, framing the activities as a necessary measure to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.
Live-fire drills are planned in several key maritime zones around the island, with Chinese vessels and aircraft approaching from multiple directions to simulate a blockade of important ports and routes. The PLA also released military propaganda materials illustrating its forces’ reach and strength around Taiwan.
Trigger Points: U.S. Arms Sales and Diplomatic Frictions
The latest exercises follow a record-breaking U.S. arms deal with Taiwan worth over $11 billion, which China said undermines regional stability and violates its “one-China” principle. Beijing has condemned the deal and imposed sanctions on U.S. defence firms involved, highlighting how arms transfers to Taiwan are a major flashpoint in cross-strait relations.
The drills also coincide with heightened rhetoric and diplomatic signals from both sides — including comments from regional leaders that Beijing perceives as supportive of Taiwan’s security. China has publicly stated that these developments “invite interference” and bolster forces it considers separatist, prompting the PLA to demonstrate what it calls integrated deterrence measures.
Taiwan’s Response and Regional Reactions
Taiwan’s government has strongly condemned the exercises, with the Defence Ministry describing China’s actions as military intimidation that threatens “security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific.” Taipei has responded by placing its military on high alert, deploying air, naval and missile systems to monitor PLA movements and conducting its own readiness drills.
Taipei’s Presidential Office also called on Beijing to show restraint and respect international norms, asserting that such manoeuvres risk escalating tensions and undermining regional peace. Many analysts note that public sentiment in Taiwan remains firmly supportive of democratic governance, even as Beijing presses its territorial claims.
Regionally, the drills have drawn concern from neighbouring countries and Western allies, particularly given the potential risk of miscalculation or accident amid dense military activity. The United States has repeatedly emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, urging Beijing to exercise restraint.
Details of the Military Operations
The drills under Justice Mission 2025 involve coordinated manoeuvres by a broad array of PLA units:
- Navy elements have been observed conducting patrols and simulations of blockades around key maritime approaches to Taiwan.
- Air Force units, including fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft, are flying sorties near Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.
- Rocket and missile forces are participating in exercises to simulate long-range strikes on hypothetical strategic targets.
- Joint command and control drills test rapid deployment and coordinated action among different branches of the PLA.
China’s state media emphasise that these drills will involve combat readiness patrols, blockade actions, joint assault preparations and simulated strikes, all designed to enhance real-world operational capabilities.
Historical Context of PLA Drills Near Taiwan
China’s military has conducted frequent exercises near Taiwan over the past several years, especially after political developments on the island that Beijing interprets as moves toward formal independence. Multiple large-scale war games have been held since 2022, often tied to anniversaries, diplomatic events or regional tensions. These operations typically involve encirclement manoeuvres and complex joint training exercises.
The PLA’s Eastern Theater Command regularly asserts that such drills serve as both training and deterrence, signalling Beijing’s readiness to respond to what it deems provocations. Critics contend that the frequency and scale of these exercises escalate tensions and erode long-standing cross-strait stability mechanisms.
International Implications and Strategic Considerations
The latest round of military drills not only underscores China’s determination to project power around Taiwan, but also highlights the complex geopolitical interplay in the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan’s key ally, the United States, continues to support the island’s defence capabilities through arms sales and political backing, a policy Beijing views as meddling in its internal affairs.
Japan and other regional actors have also expressed concerns about stability in the Taiwan Strait, especially as military rhetoric from both Beijing and Taipei intensifies. Analysts say that increased PLA activity could test alliances and complicate diplomatic efforts to uphold a status quo of deterrence.
Economic and security dimensions intersect as well, with global markets and supply chains sensitive to geopolitical shock waves emanating from the region. Any escalation beyond symbolic drills could have far-reaching economic consequences.
Outlook: Balancing Deterrence and Dialogue
China’s military drills around Taiwan reflect a deliberate strategy of demonstrating strength while deterring moves toward formal independence or foreign military involvement. Yet the heavy military posturing also raises the spectre of miscalculation, making clear communication and crisis management all the more critical.
While Beijing portrays the exercises as defensive and justified, Taipei and its partners view them as provocative and destabilising. The coming months will likely see continued diplomatic and military signalling, with both sides navigating a delicate balance between deterrence, national identity and regional stability.
Conclusion: A Contentious Military Message Across the Strait
China’s recent military drills around Taiwan represent one of the most assertive demonstrations of force in the region in 2025, framed by Beijing as a stern warning to “separatist forces” and external powers perceived as interfering. As Taiwan vows to defend its democracy and sovereignty, and as international stakeholders weigh in, the Taiwan Strait remains a focal point of geopolitical tension, strategic rivalry and international diplomacy — embodying both the risks and complexities of contemporary East Asia.
