Taipei: The Presidential Office on Monday condemned China’s launch of another military drill around Taiwan, describing such actions as a “unilateral provocation” that destabilizes regional peace and stability. China has been urged to cease its irresponsible and provocative actions, as stated by Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo following the announcement by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of a new round of joint exercises around Taiwan.
According to Focus Taiwan, the PLA has commenced these exercises, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, approaching Taiwan “from different directions.” The military exercises, part of the operation code-named Justice Mission 2025, aim to serve as a “stern warning to ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces,” according to PLA Eastern Theater Command Spokesperson Senior Colonel Shi Yi. The exercises are deemed “legitimate and necessary” to maintain China’s sovereignty and national unity.
Justice Mission 2025 is set to take place in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, focusing on “sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade of key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain,” Shi elaborated. The exercises will see vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan from various directions as troops engage in joint assaults to test their operational capabilities.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command has further announced live-fire drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, cautioning vessels and aircraft to steer clear of the designated drill zones. The drills will occur in five designated zones, including areas at sea and in the airspace north of Keelung City, east of Taitung County, south of Pingtung County, southeast of Penghu County, and northwest of Taoyuan.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office assured that the military is closely monitoring the situation, highlighting a statement from Taiwan’s intelligence chief Tsai Ming-yen earlier this month. Tsai had warned of the possibility of another large-scale PLA military drill before the year’s end, urging Taiwan to remain vigilant.
The PLA has historically conducted separate military exercises in November and December to evaluate the combat readiness of its troops, according to Tsai, director-general of the National Security Bureau. During a legislative hearing on Dec. 3, Tsai mentioned that it is “not unlikely” for the PLA to combine these routine drills into a large-scale exercise targeting Taiwan.
