China Conducts Largest-Ever Live-Fire War Games Around Taiwan Amid Rising Cross-Strait Tensions

China has launched 10 hours of live-firing military exercises around Taiwan, marking the second day of what Beijing describes as its largest-ever war games encircling the island. The drills, carried out under the Eastern Theatre Command, took place on Tuesday across five designated maritime and airspace zones surrounding Taiwan and concluded at 6 p.m. local time. Chinese authorities said the exercises were intended to demonstrate the military’s determination to counter separatism and push forward unification efforts.

According to China’s Maritime Safety Administration, two additional live-fire zones were announced on Monday, significantly expanding the scale and proximity of the exercises compared to previous drills. Known as the “Justice Mission 2025” exercises, the current operations represent the broadest geographic coverage China has ever used in military drills near Taiwan, underscoring escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The war games began just 11 days after the United States approved a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, a move that drew sharp criticism from Beijing. China’s defence ministry warned that the People’s Liberation Army would take “forceful measures” in response, linking the drills directly to what it views as foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Military analysts say the exercises are designed to rehearse a rapid encirclement strategy aimed at cutting Taiwan off from external military support, including potential resupply routes from Japan and nearby U.S. bases. This marks China’s sixth major round of war games around Taiwan since 2022, when then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island.

A senior Taiwan security official, speaking anonymously, described the drills as a serious provocation that threatens regional stability and global trade. Taiwan authorities are closely monitoring the situation, including the possibility of further escalation such as missiles flying over the island, similar to China’s 2022 exercises.

The Chinese military confirmed it deployed destroyers, bombers, and other forces to conduct sea-based assault, air defence, and anti-submarine drills, aimed at testing joint sea-air coordination. Taiwan continues to reject China’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that the island’s future can only be decided by its people.