China launched its largest military drills yet around Taiwan on Monday, signaling Beijing’s ability to isolate the island from outside support as tensions across the Taiwan Strait continue to rise.
The exercises, named Justice Mission 2025, involved Chinese forces encircling Taiwan with warships, fighter jets, artillery, and ground units. According to China’s Eastern Theatre Command, the drills are designed to test joint combat readiness, simulate strikes on land and sea targets, and rehearse a blockade of key ports.
The show of force comes as Beijing steps up pressure on Taiwan’s government, which rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future.
China’s military said live fire drills would continue into Tuesday across seven designated zones, the widest geographic coverage ever announced for exercises near Taiwan. The Maritime Safety Administration warned ships to avoid the areas, some of which are closer to Taiwan than in previous drills.
Beijing has framed the exercises as a response to what it calls separatist activity, while also showcasing its capacity to cut Taiwan off from military or economic assistance in the event of conflict.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said its forces were monitoring developments closely. Hsieh Jih sheng, deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence, told reporters that the military must prepare for all scenarios. He said live fire drills in the Taiwan Strait not only increase pressure on Taiwan but also create broader risks for neighboring countries and international shipping.
China and Taiwan have faced repeated military crises since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949, when the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan. The last large scale clashes occurred in 1958, when Chinese forces shelled the Taiwan controlled islands of Kinmen and Matsu.
Beijing has repeatedly used military exercises to send political messages. In 1996, it fired missiles near Taiwan ahead of the island’s first direct presidential election. More recently, China staged major drills in August 2022 after then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, including missile launches that flew over the island.
Further exercises followed in April 2023 and throughout 2024, often timed around visits or speeches by Taiwan’s leaders. Taiwan reported a sharp increase in Chinese air and naval activity in late 2024, though Beijing did not formally confirm those operations.
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The latest drills mark China’s sixth major round of war games around Taiwan since 2022, according to public statements by Chinese authorities. They also come amid heightened regional rhetoric, including comments by Japanese leaders suggesting a Taiwan crisis could draw in neighboring countries.
Taiwan’s government maintains it is already an independent state under the name Republic of China and has repeatedly called for calm, while continuing to modernize its defenses with US made equipment.
As the exercises continue, regional governments and international partners are watching closely for signs of escalation or signals about Beijing’s next steps in the Taiwan Strait.