At a Glance
- China’s military staged a second-day joint live-fire drill around Taiwan, citing a US arms sale.
- The exercise, dubbed Justice Mission 2025, involved air, navy and missile units.
- More than 100,000 international travelers were affected by flight cancellations and diversions.
Why it matters: The drills signal a sharp rise in tensions over Taiwan’s security and the region’s stability.
News Of Austin reported that for a second consecutive day, China’s armed forces conducted a large-scale live-fire exercise around Taiwan, sending a stern warning to the island and to external actors. The drills, called Justice Mission 2025, come amid a U.S. arms sale and a Japanese prime minister’s statement that could involve Japan in a Taiwan conflict.
China’s Military Mobilization
China deployed destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles, along with long-range rockets, to the north and southwest of the Taiwan Strait. The exercise tested sea-air coordination and precise target hunting in waters east of the strait.
- Destroyers
- Frigates
- Fighters
- Bombers
- UAVs
- Long-range rockets
Senior Col. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, said the drills focused on sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority and blockades on key ports. He also noted the goal of all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain.
China’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang urged countries to abandon the illusion of using Taiwan to contain China and to refrain from challenging China’s resolve in safeguarding its core interests.
Taiwan’s Response
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry declared rapid response exercises underway and placed forces on high alert. It described the Chinese drills as confirming the Communist Party’s nature as an aggressor and the biggest destroyer of peace.
Karen Kuo stated:
> “Our country strongly condemns the Chinese authorities for disregarding international norms and using military intimidation to threaten neighboring countries.”
Hsieh Jih-sheng, deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence, reported that as of 3 p.m. Monday, 89 aircraft and drones were operating around the strait, with 67 entering the response zone. The ministry also detected 14 navy ships and 4 warships in the Western Pacific, plus 14 coast guard vessels.
Civil Aviation Impact
The Taiwanese Civil Aviation Administration issued a notice that seven temporary dangerous zones would be set up around the strait for rocket-firing exercises from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., barring aircraft from entering them.
| Category | Scheduled Flights | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| International | 850 | >100,000 |
| Domestic | 80 | 6,000 |
Over 80 domestic flights, involving around 6,000 passengers, were canceled, and commercial airlines announced dozens of cancellations and delays for routes along islands near China.
International Reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he was not informed of the exercise in advance but was not worried, noting that China has conducted naval exercises in the area for 20 years. He praised his relationship with President Xi Jinping and suggested Xi would not attack Taiwan.
Japan’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi had earlier said Japan could get involved if China takes action against Taiwan, prompting Beijing’s foreign ministry to accuse Taiwan’s ruling party of seeking independence with U.S. support.
Key Takeaways
- China’s joint live-fire drills around Taiwan marked a significant escalation after a U.S. arms sale.
- Over 100,000 travelers were impacted by flight cancellations and diversions.
- Taiwan and the U.S. remain on high alert, while Japan’s stance adds further complexity to regional security.
With the drills still unfolding, the region watches closely as China’s military exercises continue to test the limits of international norms and the resolve of neighboring governments.
