China on Tuesday began one of its most expansive military exercises near Taiwan, involving rocket launches into maritime zones close to the island. The drills, labeled “Justice Mission 2025,” came shortly after the United States unveiled a multibillion-dollar arms package for Taiwan, intensifying diplomatic friction in the region.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command confirmed that 10 hours of continuous live-fire activities were carried out in waters north and south of Taiwan. Military units also practiced naval and aerial defense simulations, anti-submarine monitoring, and readiness patrols across a wide operational radius.
Rocket Launches Follow US Arms Package
The exercise began 11 days after Washington announced an $11.1 billion defense support package for Taiwan, the largest publicly disclosed shipment of its kind. Beijing condemned the timing, calling the package a breach of stability and warning it would take “firm counter-steps” through military readiness demonstrations.
For the first time, Chinese officials openly said the drills were designed to signal deterrence toward outside involvement. A statement from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stressed that any foreign intervention would be considered interference in its internal security sphere.
Tensions With Japan Add to Rhetoric
Beijing’s messaging has sharpened in recent weeks after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi suggested that a forced takeover of Taiwan might lead to a defensive response from Tokyo. China responded by promoting Eastern Theatre commander Xiang Cheng to full general last week, a personnel move analysts interpreted as part of combat readiness restructuring following internal military leadership changes earlier in 2025.
New Assault Ships Displayed
State media also highlighted the first public deployment of China’s Type 075 amphibious assault ship, capable of coordinating helicopters, armored landing craft, and sea-based vehicles simultaneously. Defense academics said the ship’s appearance signaled China’s ability to run multi-route logistics operations if conflict were to escalate.
Taiwan Reports Air and Sea Activity
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said 71 Chinese aircraft and 24 naval and coast-guard vessels were detected operating near the island on Tuesday. Authorities also reported that 27 rockets were launched into nearby maritime zones, though the ministry said no strikes occurred on Taiwanese land or civilian areas.
President Lai Ching-te condemned the exercises, calling them military pressure tactics, but added that Taiwan does not seek escalation. In a Facebook post, Lai said frontline forces were prepared to defend the island while urging citizens to remain calm and confident.
Flights and Trade Routes Continue Under Monitoring
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Authority said that 11 of 14 domestic flight routes were affected, particularly those leading to Kinmen and Matsu islands, impacting about 6,000 passengers. However, no international flight cancellations were announced.
Despite airspace and maritime restrictions in certain zones, commercial analysts emphasized that Taiwan Strait trade routes remain a major global artery, carrying over $2 trillion in annual trade, connecting China to high-growth markets across East and Southeast Asia.
2027 Readiness Target Mentioned in US Reports
A Pentagon report released last week indicated that US planners believe China is aiming for peak readiness by 2027, a symbolic centenary year for the founding of the PLA. The report did not confirm new land-based strike authority for US forces in Venezuela or Southeast Asia but focused on scenario planning for maritime and aerial logistics defense in the Pacific and Taiwan region.
China said on Monday that blockade rehearsal of Taiwan’s deep-water ports, including Keelung and Kaohsiung, is central to the exercise design, though no timeline was offered on when the drills may fully conclude.