Taiwan’s armed forces have been placed on “high alert” after China launched large-scale military exercises encircling the island, in what Beijing described as a “serious warning” both against Taiwanese independence and external interference.

The exercises—dubbed “Justice Mission 2025”—involve China’s army, navy, air force, and rocket units. The Eastern Theater Command announced that the drills would test combat readiness, precision strikes, and the “blockade and control of key ports and critical areas” from Monday, December 29^th. Live-fire activities are taking place in five maritime and airspace zones encircling Taiwan.

Military analyst Fu Nan told Chinese state media the drills were an “escalation” in response to the US-Taiwan arms deal, calling it “collusive actions.” The landmark $11.1 billion arms deal between the US and Taiwan, includes HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank and anti-armor missiles, loitering drones, howitzers, and military software. Beijing criticized the deal, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating:

Their attempt to seek independence through the US, even at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg, fully exposes their vicious nature as peace disruptors, troublemakers, and war instigators.

“This exercise serves as a serious warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interfering forces,” according to Shi Yi, spokesperson for China’s Eastern Theater Command.