China Fires Rockets in Massive Military Drills Around Taiwan

Beijing's Most Aggressive Show of Force

China launched its largest-ever military exercise around Taiwan on Monday, deploying air, navy, missile units and other military branches in coordinated drills codenamed "Justice Mission 2025." On the second day, China fired rockets toward Taiwan as it pressed ahead with the war games, deploying navy destroyers, bombers and other forces.

As of Monday afternoon, 89 Chinese aircraft and drones were operating around the Taiwan Strait, with 67 entering Taiwan's "response zone," while 14 navy ships and 14 coast guard vessels were detected in surrounding waters. Most significantly, the live-fire drills involve a simulated blockade of major Taiwanese ports.

The exercises included 10 hours of live-fire activities between 8am and 6pm local time in five maritime and airspace zones around Taiwan, forcing the cancellation of more than 80 domestic flights and affecting over 300 international flights. Taiwan's aviation authority said more than 100,000 international air travelers would be affected by flight cancellations or diversions.

Timing Reveals Strategic Message

The exercises came days after the United States announced its largest-ever weapons package for Taiwan, worth $11.1 billion. Beijing also expressed anger at a statement by Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, saying its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi called the exercise a stern warning directed against "Taiwan independence" forces and external interference, asserting that the operation is a necessary step to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity. China's top diplomat Wang Yi said Tuesday that China would "forcefully counter" large-scale US weapons sales to Taiwan.

A key focus of the exercises will be "anti-access and area denial capability" to ensure that Taiwan cannot receive supplies from allies like Japan and the US during a conflict. The drills involved training for responding to international "interference" — a tacit reference to dealing with the U.S. military and other nations that might come to Taiwan's aid in a crisis.

Taiwan's Measured Response

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said rapid response exercises were underway, with forces on high alert, calling the Chinese Communist Party "an aggressor and the biggest destroyer of peace." Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vowed Tuesday that the territory would not be "escalating the conflict" or provoke disputes.

Many ordinary Taiwanese reacted stoically, with one fishmonger saying "There have been so many drills like this over the years that we are used to it," while a fruit seller dismissed the threat: "It's just posturing. If they really attacked Taiwan, they would have to pay a price."

Global Stakes and Future Implications

Justice Mission 2025 marks the sixth time China has staged large-scale military drills around Taiwan since then-US Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. Many have floated 2027 — which marks the centenary of the founding of the PLA — as the year China could be capable of invading the island, with the Chinese leadership instructing the military to be prepared for a successful invasion no later than 2027.

US President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about the drills, appearing to brush aside the possibility of Xi Jinping ordering an invasion: "I don't believe he's going to be doing it." However, the exercises demonstrate Beijing's growing military capabilities and willingness to use them as diplomatic pressure.

The semiconductor-rich island sits on critical Pacific trade routes, making these military maneuvers more than regional posturing. They signal China's evolving strategy of using blockade tactics as an alternative to full invasion, potentially reshaping how conflicts might unfold in one of the world's most economically vital regions.