![A ship fires a weapon during drills east of Taiwan, in this screenshot from a video released by the Eastern Theater Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday [China's Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters/CNN]](https://independentnews.co.sz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-29t043053z-682402530-rc24qiaw2x91-rtrmadp-3-china-taiwan-drills-e1767024661584.webp)
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), China, launched several live-fire drills around Taiwan after its “Justice Mission 2025” operation, warning “external forces” against using the island state to contain China.
“External forces, by using Taiwan to contain China and arming Taiwan, will only embolden the arrogance of Taiwan independence and push Taiwan straight towards a dangerous situation of military conflict,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said.
According to News24, much action picked up around 3 p.m. local time on Monday around Taiwan and some islands.
Taiwan’s deputy chief of general staff for intelligence, Lt. Gen. Hsieh Jih-sheng, is quoted as saying that Taiwan identified at least 14 naval vessels, 14 coast guard ships, and 89 aircraft, 67 of which entered its response zones.
Beijing said that the Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests, and China’s resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and its territorial integrity is unwavering.
Taiwan and the United States have strongly condemned China’s launch of its air, naval, and rocket soldiers. Taiwan has described China’s activities as military intimidation.
“We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations and oppose the PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace. Rapid Response Exercises are underway, with forces on high alert to defend the Republic of China and protect our people,” the Ministry of National Defense, Republic of China (Taiwan), posted on the X platform.
The United States and Taiwan have signed a $11.1 billion weapons deal. China was also offended by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about the Japanese army’s involvement if China invaded Taiwan.
Beijing stated that its military drills were aimed at testing combat readiness and delivering a strong signal against Taiwanese independence supporters who oppose China’s reunification and meddling.
Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images/CNN
“I want to emphasize that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities stubbornly adhere to the stance of Taiwan independence, attempting to seek independence through the US, even at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg and an ammunition depot. This fully exposes their vicious nature as peace destroyers, trouble makers, and war instigators,” Lin said.
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