China Conducts Extensive War Games Simulating Taiwan Blockade

China's "Justice Mission 2025" War Games

• 🚀 China has launched extensive war games, codenamed "Justice Mission 2025," involving rockets fired into waters off northern and southern Taiwan.
• 🚢 New amphibious assault ships, bomber aircraft, and destroyers have been deployed as part of a rehearsal for a blockade of the island.
• 📹 Beijing released a video purporting to show forces firing toward waters north of Taiwan.

Taiwan's Response and Concerns

• 🔍 Taiwan's military has observed Chinese planes and ships near the island.
• ⚠️ A senior security official noted that Taipei is monitoring whether this sixth major round of war games since 2022 will include missiles fired over Taiwan, as occurred previously.
• 🌊 Taiwan's defense ministry confirmed live firing drills took place to the island's north, with debris entering its contiguous zone.

International Order and Sovereignty Claims

• ⚖️ Gene YJ Chen, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry deputy director general, stated that China undermines the international order and regional status quo by challenging UN Charter principles.
• 🗣️ China asserts the drills are a "necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."
• 🇺🇸 The exercises commenced 11 days after the US announced a significant $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan.