China's military drills near Taiwan have sparked tension and raised concerns about the island's sovereignty. On the second day of the drills, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) demonstrated its blockade capabilities, sending destroyers, frigates, fighters, and bombers to the waters north and south of Taiwan. This large-scale exercise, named 'Justice Mission 2025', aimed to showcase China's ability to deter external support for Taiwan, which it considers a part of its territory. The drills included live-fire drills and simulated joint strikes with air, navy, and missile units, achieving what the PLA's Eastern Theater Command spokesperson, Li Xi, called 'desired effects'.
The impact of these maneuvers extended beyond the military realm, affecting everyday life in Taiwan. The Civil Aviation Administration was notified of seven temporary 'dangerous zones' around the strait, leading to schedule changes, delays, and cancellations of over 100 international and domestic flights. China's official news agency, Xinhua, emphasized Beijing's readiness to prevent any attempts at Taiwan's separation, warning of stronger countermeasures with each escalation.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te expressed concern over China's frequent military pressure, stating it was not expected of a responsible major nation. The Defense Ministry reported detecting 130 aircraft, 14 military ships, and eight other official ships around the island, with 90 Chinese aircraft crossing the median line of the strait. A Chinese military balloon was also spotted.
The Chinese Defense Ministry's spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang, criticized Taiwan's administration for what he saw as pandering to external forces and pursuing independence, claiming it as the root cause of disrupted status quo and escalating tensions. This comes after Beijing imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives for large-scale arms sales to Taiwan, valued at over $10 billion.
The situation has also heightened tensions between China and Japan. China expressed anger over Japan's prime minister's statement, suggesting military involvement if China takes action against Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi slammed Japan and Taiwan's 'pro-independence forces', accusing Japan of failing to reflect on its aggressive past and challenging China's territorial sovereignty.
Taiwan, facing the drills, labeled the Chinese government as 'the biggest destroyer of peace' and warned of the potential challenges to the international community and neighboring countries. The Chinese Eastern Theater Command's provocative online content, including images and videos of live rounds being fired, further escalated tensions. Fishermen in Taiwan have also been affected, with the inability to fish causing significant economic losses.
