Taipei: Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated Wednesday it remains vigilant despite China's announcement of the conclusion of its People's Liberation Army (PLA) military drills around Taiwan. The MND emphasized the continued presence of a significant number of Chinese aircraft and vessels within Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and confirmed that the military has completed adjustments to its joint-service deployments, maintaining its readiness to respond effectively.
According to Focus Taiwan, China's repeated military maneuvers have raised concerns about regional security and stability, drawing condemnation from democratic allies worldwide. The MND expressed in a statement that these acts of intimidation by China threaten peace in the region. The PLA Eastern Theater Command had earlier announced the conclusion of the "Justice Mission-2025" exercises, which were intended as a warning to forces advocating for Taiwan's independence.
The military exercises, which commenced on Monday, took place in the Taiwan Strait and areas surrounding the island, involving live-fire drills conducted in five designated zones. The MND reported that during these drills, the PLA launched 27 rockets, with 10 landing within Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone. This marks the closest recorded Chinese live-fire activity to Taiwan.
Taiwan's military detected significant activity around the island, identifying 17 PLA naval vessels and 77 military aircraft from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning. Among the aircraft, 35 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, highlighting the heightened tension in the area.
President Lai Ching-te addressed the situation, noting that China's recent drills are part of a broader pattern of coercion. Speaking at a military ceremony, Lai underscored the risks posed by China's authoritarian expansion to regional stability, affecting global trade and peace.
The international community, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and several Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, have expressed their concerns about China's military activities near Taiwan and have called for restraint to prevent further escalation.