China on Monday launched its largest military exercises to date around Taiwan, deploying forces across multiple zones to demonstrate its capacity to encircle the island and disrupt external support.
The drills, described by Beijing as necessary to safeguard sovereignty, immediately triggered flight cancellations, maritime disruptions, and heightened military readiness in Taiwan.
They unfolded amid rising tensions tied to recent U.S. arms sales to Taipei and regional statements perceived by Beijing as challenges to its territorial claims.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command said troops, warships, fighter jets, artillery, and missile units were mobilized for the exercises, named “Justice Mission 2025.”
The drills included live-fire activity, simulated strikes on land and sea targets, and operations aimed at blockading key Taiwanese ports.
Chinese authorities designated seven maritime zones for firing exercises, marking the widest geographic coverage of such drills to date and bringing them closer to Taiwan than previous operations.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported that an additional unannounced drill zone briefly appeared east of the island, adding to operational uncertainty.
Taiwanese officials said more than 100,000 international air travelers and over 80 domestic flights were affected by cancellations and diversions.
Taiwan placed its armed forces on high alert and initiated rapid response exercises to ensure readiness if the drills escalated.
By Monday afternoon, Taiwan reported 89 Chinese aircraft and drones, 14 naval vessels, and 14 coast guard ships operating near the island, with several encounters occurring close to its contiguous zone.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff Hsieh Jih-sheng said, “Conducting live-fire exercises around the Taiwan Strait ... does not only mean military pressure on us.”
Taiwan’s coast guard deployed large vessels to monitor Chinese ships and coordinated with the military to reduce disruptions to shipping and fishing routes.
Despite the heightened tensions, Taiwan’s stock market closed higher, reflecting limited immediate economic impact.
Chinese state media said the exercises focused on sealing off major ports, while propaganda materials released by the military emphasized deterrence against what Beijing called external interference.
The drills are scheduled to continue through Tuesday, prolonging uncertainty for aviation and maritime traffic in the region.