China conducted extensive war games near Taiwan, launching rockets into the surrounding waters, showcasing new assault ships, and downplaying the possibility of US or allied interference to hinder Beijing’s potential attempt to seize control of the island. The live-fire exercises, part of a blockade rehearsal by China’s Eastern Theatre Command, lasted for 10 hours and included simulated strikes on maritime and aerial targets, anti-submarine drills, and demonstrations of Beijing’s military capabilities and technological advancements for a potential forceful takeover of Taiwan if deemed necessary.
Dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” the drills commenced shortly after the US unveiled a substantial $11.1 billion arms deal with Taiwan, provoking criticism from the Chinese defence ministry and threats of retaliatory actions. While Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Authority reported disruptions to 11 out of 14 flight routes during the exercises, international flights remained unaffected, though services to the Kinmen and Matsu islands near China’s shoreline were impacted, affecting approximately 6,000 passengers. Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed the intrusion of Chinese rockets into the island’s contiguous zone, along with the presence of 71 Chinese military aircraft and 24 naval and coast guard vessels encircling Taiwan.
During the drills, Chinese coast guard ships closely monitored Taiwanese vessels, as per a Taiwan coast guard official cited by Reuters. A recent Pentagon report suggested that the US military believed China aimed to secure victory in a potential conflict over Taiwan by 2027. The Chinese military emphasized the significance of simulating a blockade scenario of Taiwan’s major ports, including Keelung to the north and Kaohsiung to the south, as a focal point of the exercises.