China announced on Monday the start of a series of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, including intensive live-fire drills, in a new escalation that further heightens tensions in East Asia. These moves come at a highly sensitive time, amid geopolitical wrangling between Beijing on one side, and Washington and Tokyo on the other, over the status of the self-governing island.
Details of “Mission Justice 2025”
According to a statement issued by Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, the military operations, dubbed "Mission Justice 2025," will commence on December 29. The statement explained that the exercises will involve various branches of the armed forces, including the ground forces, navy, air force, and strategic missile forces, reflecting the joint and comprehensive nature of these maneuvers.
Maps accompanying the military statement identified five key areas surrounding Taiwan from various directions where live-fire exercises will be conducted tomorrow, Tuesday, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time. Chinese authorities have issued strict warnings to civilian and commercial vessels and aircraft to avoid these areas during the drills to ensure safety, which could temporarily disrupt navigation in one of the world's busiest waterways.
Context of the tension: American weaponry and the Japanese stance
This military move cannot be separated from the tense political context. This show of force comes as a direct response to the latest round of US arms sales to Taipei, a move that angered Beijing and prompted it to impose sanctions last week on 20 US defense companies. It also coincides with escalating tensions between China and Japan, following statements hinting at Tokyo's potential support for Taiwan in the event of a future armed conflict, which China considers interference in its internal affairs.
Historical background and strategic importance
China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and has vowed to annex it by force if necessary, while Taiwan's democratically elected government rejects Chinese claims of sovereignty, asserting that the island's future is to be decided solely by its people. The roots of this conflict trace back to the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government retreated to the island.
These maneuvers carry implications that extend beyond political messages; the Taiwan Strait is a vital artery for global trade, through which enormous quantities of goods and technological supply chains, particularly semiconductors, pass. Therefore, any military escalation in this region raises widespread international concerns about its potential impact on the global economy and regional stability.
Taiwan: This is military intimidation
In response, Taiwan swiftly condemned the moves. Presidential spokesperson Karen Ko described the exercises as blatant “military intimidation.” In an official statement, she said, “Taiwan strongly condemns the Chinese authorities’ disregard for international norms and their use of military intimidation to threaten neighboring countries,” adding that Taiwanese forces are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to defend the island’s sovereignty.
