China announced the start of “major” military exercises around Taiwan starting this Monday (December 29, 2025), which will include live-fire exercises in five sea and air zones near the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own.
“Starting December 29, the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Eastern Theater Command will deploy soldiers from its army, navy, air force and missile force to conduct joint military exercises called ‘Mission Justice 2025,'” military spokesman Col. Shi Yi said in a statement.
In a separate statement, the PLA showed a map showing five major areas around Taiwan where “live-fire activities” will be organized from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday (00:00 to 10:00 GMT).
Taiwan protests
In response, the Defense Ministry in Tapéi criticized Beijing’s “irrational provocations” and “various types of military harassment and disinformation operations” against Taiwan.
The company assured that it had deployed “sufficient” forces in accordance with protocols to “protect freedom and democracy” and protect Taiwan’s sovereignty.
According to the military statement, the maneuvers are taking place in several areas around the island, including in areas of the Taiwan Strait and in sea and air spaces in the north, southwest, southeast and east of the island’s territory.
The large-scale deployment comes after weeks of tension between China and Japan sparked by comments suggesting possible Japanese support for Taiwan in the event of a future armed conflict.
Conflict also between China and the USA.
This also comes after the recent US arms sale to Taiwan, which sparked an angry reaction from Beijing, which imposed sanctions on 20 US military contractors last week.
This week’s exercises are “a clear warning against separatist forces for Taiwan’s independence” and “a legitimate and necessary measure to protect China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Shi added in the statement.
The exercises also come at a time of high tension between China and the United States over the Taiwan issue, after Washington recently approved measures to strengthen security cooperation with the island and pushed forward new procedures for selling arms to Taipei.
Beijing responded to this announcement with sanctions against American companies in the defense sector.
gs (efe, afp, reuters)
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