- China’s People’s Liberation Army launched the Justice Mission-2025 drills around Taiwan without prior notice and announced live-fire zones restricting air and maritime traffic.
- Taiwan’s Presidential Office, Foreign Ministry, and Ministry of National Defense condemned the drills and said the armed forces initiated immediate combat readiness exercises.
China’s People’s Liberation Army on Monday launched the “Justice Mission-2025” military drills around Taiwan without prior warning and announced upcoming live-fire exercises that will restrict air and maritime traffic in five designated areas starting Tuesday, prompting immediate condemnation from Taiwanese authorities.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office, Foreign Ministry, and Ministry of National Defense responded within hours, describing the PLA’s actions as military intimidation and urging the public to remain calm. The drills were initiated by the People’s Liberation Army without advance notification to Taipei or international aviation and maritime authorities, according to Taiwanese officials.
Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo said the drills violate international expectations for regional stability and challenge established international norms. “Our country strongly condemns Chinese authorities for disregarding international norms and resorting to military intimidation against neighboring countries,” Kuo said. “In response to China’s ongoing unilateral provocative actions, Taiwan’s national security forces and agencies have maintained advanced comprehensive awareness, with thorough precautions in place to ensure the safety of the nation and its people. The public may rest assured.”
China announced that the drills will include live-fire activities that bar civilian vessels and aircraft from entering multiple zones near Taiwan, a move that Taiwanese officials said raises concerns for regional transportation safety. The exercises were launched unilaterally and involve operations in waters and airspace surrounding the island.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning the PLA’s actions, saying the drills once again undermine the rules-based international order and threaten regional peace and stability. A ministry public affairs official said the exercises will have consequences beyond Taiwan, noting that such actions can disrupt global shipping routes and trade flows through one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense said Taiwan’s armed forces had initiated “immediate combat readiness exercises” in response to the PLA announcement. The ministry said these measures are aimed at maintaining security and monitoring developments around the island as the Chinese drills proceed.
In its statement, the MND stressed that Taiwan’s political system and democratic governance are not provocations. The ministry said defending democracy and freedom does not justify military pressure and stated that the Republic of China’s existence is not a reason for external actors to disrupt the status quo.
The ministry added that the targeted nature of the PLA exercise “further confirms” the Chinese Communist Party’s role as an aggressor and called the drills evidence of the need for Taiwan to accelerate the development of resilient and comprehensive deterrent defense capabilities.
Justice Mission-2025 is the seventh large-scale military exercise conducted by the PLA around Taiwan since then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in 2022, according to Taiwanese officials. Since that visit, China has increased the frequency and scale of joint air and naval drills, missile tests, and simulated blockades around Taiwan.
The exercises are being closely monitored by Taiwan’s security agencies as well as regional partners, as the drills involve live-fire elements and restrictions on civilian traffic in nearby airspace and sea lanes.