China has once again begun a large-scale military exercise around Taiwan.
Dec 29, 2025, 03:39Dec 29, 2025, 03:39
As the state news agency Xinhua reported, citing the Chinese military, the “Mission Justice 2025” exercise had begun. Practices take place in the air and sea areas around Taiwan. The focus would be on combat readiness patrols, achieving comprehensive superiority and blockading important ports and areas.
A Chinese aircraft carrier. (archive image)Image: keystone
A spokesman described the exercises as a “serious warning” to “separatist” forces. They are also a “legitimate and necessary” measure to preserve Chinese sovereignty and national unity, it said.
Shooting practice on Tuesday
In a separate statement, the People’s Liberation Army also announced that it would hold shooting exercises in five designated zones around Taiwan starting Tuesday. Uninvolved ships and aircraft should avoid these areas.
The announcement follows new tensions with the US after Washington announced a large arms package for Taiwan. These are the first major Chinese military exercises off Taiwan since April.
Taiwan condemns maneuvers
However, China’s army exercises almost daily in the region with warships and military aircraft. Beijing counts the island republic as part of its territory, even though it has had a democratically elected government independent of Beijing for decades. The People’s Republic wants to annex Taiwan and is threatening to use the military if this does not happen peacefully.
Taiwan strongly condemned the renewed Chinese military activities. China’s actions undermine security and stability in the region and represent an open challenge to international law and order, said a spokeswoman for the presidential office. The Taiwanese armed forces and security authorities are fully informed and prepared about the situation. (sda/dpa)