China Announces Live-Fire Drills Around Taiwan, Designating Five Restricted Zones

The “Just Mission 2025” exercises focus on combat readiness and controlling key areas, amid heightened regional tensions.

BEIJING — China’s military will conduct live-fire exercises around Taiwan on Tuesday, sharply raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The drills, announced by the state-run Xinhua News Agency on Monday, will establish five restricted maritime and airspace zones encircling the island.

A spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command said the operations are codenamed “Just Mission 2025” and will focus on naval and air force combat readiness, as well as controlling key ports and strategic areas.

An accompanying graphic released by Chinese authorities delineated the five zones, effectively surrounding Taiwan. Such exercises are widely seen as a demonstration of China’s capability to enforce a potential blockade or apply military pressure on the island, which Beijing claims as its own territory.

The announcement follows a pattern of increased PLA activity in the region and comes at a time of persistent diplomatic friction between Beijing and Taipei. China has consistently opposed any moves it perceives as supporting Taiwanese independence.

Live-fire drills of this scale are likely to disrupt regional air and sea traffic and will be closely monitored by neighboring militaries and international observers.