The PLA's military exercises "Just Mission 2025" are taking place in five maritime areas off the coast of Taiwan and in the airspace near it. China claims that the measure is aimed at protecting its sovereignty.
China has begun large-scale military exercises "Just Mission 2025" with live-fire drills in five maritime areas off the coast of Taiwan and in the airspace near it. This was reported on Monday, December 29, by a representative of the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China, Shi Yi.
"This serves as a serious warning to separatist forces acting in the interests of 'Taiwan independence' and external forces interfering in its affairs, and is also a legitimate and necessary measure to protect China's sovereignty and national unity," the Chinese military stated.
First Major Military Exercises by China Off the Coast of Taiwan Since April
The document states that the exercises focus on "preparing patrols for combat readiness at sea and in the air, establishing integrated control, blocking key ports and areas, and conducting multidimensional deterrence."
These are the first major military exercises by China off the coast of Taiwan since April, notes the dpa agency.
Washington Approved Sale of Arms Package to Taiwan
Earlier, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump approved the sale of an arms package to Taiwan worth $11.1 billion (€9.4 billion). It included HIMARS rocket systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius drones, howitzers, and components for other equipment, the Taiwanese government announced on December 18. As noted by Reuters, this is a record arms shipment that the United States planned to deliver to Taipei.
The announcement of the arms supply came amid increased military and diplomatic pressure from China on Taiwan, which Beijing considers its rebellious province. The PRC threatens to use force against it.
Beijing criticized the planned sale of weapons to Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that this step would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the U.S., cause serious harm to the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the PRC, and undermine regional stability.
Conflict Over Taiwan
Taiwan, with a population of about 23 million people, is a partially recognized democratic state that official Beijing considers a "rebellious province" and part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The island's authorities reject the "one country, two systems" model that Beijing has promoted since the 1980s. In recent years, China has repeatedly conducted large-scale military exercises off the island's coast, which several military analysts have interpreted as a rehearsal for invasion. Passages of military ships from other countries through the strait separating Taiwan from mainland China are perceived by Beijing as provocation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated the goal of "reunifying" Taiwan with mainland China and has set the timeline for establishing Beijing's sovereignty over the island as 2027. Trump's second presidential term is set to end in early 2029.
Washington does not recognize Taiwan's independence and has no diplomatic relations with Taipei. The U.S. sells arms to the island under the Taiwan Relations Act passed in 1979. This document provides for arms supplies for self-defense.
