China has announced it will hold military drills around Taiwan simulating the seizure and blockade of the island's key areas, as a warning against 'separatist forces'. The army, navy, air force and rocket force will be dispatched for the drills scheduled for Tuesday, which include live-fire exercises, the Chinese military said. Codenamed 'Justice Mission 2025', the drills are taking place days after the US announced the sale of one of its largest weapons packages to Taiwan worth $11bn (£8.2bn). That move drew sharp protest from Beijing and it subsequently sanctioned US defense firms.
Taiwan's push to ramp up its defense has also angered Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island as its territory. Taiwan's presidential office criticized the upcoming Chinese drills, calling them a challenge to international norms. Taiwan's defense ministry reported the detection of Chinese military activity around the island and stated that its forces are on 'high alert' to defend Taiwan and 'protect our people'.
In a post on Weibo, the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command described the upcoming military exercise as a 'shield of justice'. It warned that 'all those plotting independence will be annihilated upon encountering the shield!'
China's claims to Taiwan have intensified due to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing accuses of pursuing 'Taiwan independence'. Lai argues that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation and has no need to formally declare independence.
As the drills commence, Chinese military officials focus on military deterrence 'outside the island chain', amid worsening relations with Japan, especially after discussions of Japan's self-defense contributions if a conflict arose over Taiwan. The situation continues to evolve, creating a complex web of tensions in the region.
Taiwan's push to ramp up its defense has also angered Beijing, which claims the self-ruled island as its territory. Taiwan's presidential office criticized the upcoming Chinese drills, calling them a challenge to international norms. Taiwan's defense ministry reported the detection of Chinese military activity around the island and stated that its forces are on 'high alert' to defend Taiwan and 'protect our people'.
In a post on Weibo, the Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command described the upcoming military exercise as a 'shield of justice'. It warned that 'all those plotting independence will be annihilated upon encountering the shield!'
China's claims to Taiwan have intensified due to Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing accuses of pursuing 'Taiwan independence'. Lai argues that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation and has no need to formally declare independence.
As the drills commence, Chinese military officials focus on military deterrence 'outside the island chain', amid worsening relations with Japan, especially after discussions of Japan's self-defense contributions if a conflict arose over Taiwan. The situation continues to evolve, creating a complex web of tensions in the region.
