Taiwan deploys ‘forces’ as China launches ‘major’ military drills near island

China launched “major” military drills around Taiwan on Monday (Dec 29), drawing condemnation from the island. In response, Taipei said that it was deploying forces, calling it Beijing’s “military intimidation”. China said that it would conduct live-fire drills the following day across five zones in waters and airspace near Taiwan.

Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has suggested using force to seize the island democracy.

In a statement, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command said that it was “employing destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles” during the drill code-named ‘Justice Mission 2025’, which includes “live-fire training on maritime targets to the north and southwest of Taiwan.”

The activities will focus on “sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain,” Senior Colonel Shi Yi said.

The drills are “a stern warning against ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatist forces, and... a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity,” Shi added.

In a statement, Chinese authorities warned against entering the waters and airspace in the five zones where the drills were taking place, releasing a map of five large zones around Taiwan.

“For the sake of safety, any irrelevant vessel or aircraft is advised not to enter the afore-mentioned waters and airspace,” the statement said.

Taiwan condemns Chinese drills

Calling it Beijing’s “military intimidation”, Taiwan on Monday condemned the drills around the democratic island.

“In response to the Chinese authorities’ disregard for international norms and the use of military intimidation to threaten neighbouring countries, Taiwan expresses its strong condemnation,” Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said in a statement.

Taiwan said that it detected four Chinese coastguard ships near its waters. The four vessels were “sailing near waters off Taiwan’s northern and eastern coasts today”, the Taiwanese coastguard said, adding hat it “immediately deployed large vessels to pre-position responses in relevant areas” and “sent additional support units”.

Meanwhile, the island’s military said that “A response centre has been established, and appropriate forces have been deployed” in response to Chinese military exercises. It added that its armed forces “have carried out a rapid response exercise.”