China Army Conducts Simulated Blockade of Taiwan in Latest Military Drills
The Chinese military continued its “Justice Mission 2025” exercises around Taiwan, including a simulated blockade of the island and missile launches on the second day of drills. These exercises involve live-fire drills and extensive maritime and air restrictions.
According to media reports, this phase includes about 10 hours of live ammunition exercises, simulating the blockade of Taiwan’s main ports, and coordinated air and naval operations. The drills run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time across five maritime and aerial zones around Taiwan, encompassing military patrols, simulated precision strikes, and anti-submarine maneuvers.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense claims part of the exercises take place in waters it considers its territorial boundary. Simultaneously, Taiwan’s Aviation Administration announced that over 80 domestic flights have been canceled and hundreds of international flights could face delays due to the drills.
China’s Eastern Theater Command stated in a release that the exercises include the use of fighter jets, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles, simulating attacks on moving ground targets as part of a coordinated multi-directional assault. According to the command, five zones surrounding Taiwan will face maritime and air restrictions for 10 hours.
This marks the sixth major round of Chinese military drills around Taiwan since 2022, occurring as the United States recently announced a large arms sale to Taiwan. A spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command described the exercises as a warning to Taiwan’s separatist forces and a deterrent against foreign military intervention.
