China intensifies military maneuvers in Taiwan as a warning "to separatist forces"

China has once again demonstrated that it considers Taiwan its own and is prepared to confront any force that attempts to intervene. In a further show of force, the Chinese military has deployed its navy, air force, and missile corps around the island to carry out the most extensive military maneuvers to dateThe exercises, codenamed "Mission Justice 2025," are intended to send a warning to separatist forces, days after the United States announced an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The sale sparked outrage in Beijing, which sanctioned US defense companies and announced it would take "forceful measures" in response. On the second day of the exercises, which began on Monday, Beijing showcased new assault ships and multiple rocket launchers, while state media released images promoting China's technological and military superiority and its ability to seize Taiwan by force if necessary. As part of the exercises, destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, and bombers have been deployed to conduct simulated attacks and assaults against maritime targets, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine operations in the north and south of the island, with the aim of testing air-sea coordination capabilities and integrated blockade and control. Beijing's Foreign Ministry has called the exercises "severe punishment for separatist forces seeking independence by force." The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command described the military exercises as a "shield of justice": "All those who conspire for independence will be annihilated upon encountering the shield!" the post read. "Iron Walls"

Also, and for the first time, the Chinese military admitted that the maneuvers were aimed at deterring foreign intervention. "Any external force that attempts to intervene in the Taiwan question or interfere in China's internal affairs will run headlong into the iron walls of the Chinese People's Liberation Army," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement on Monday. Taiwan has confirmed live-fire impacts and noted that the shells, fired by long-range artillery deployed in China's Fujian province, landed near its 24-nautical-mile limit. In its latest report, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense noted that between 6:00 a.m. Monday and 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, it detected 130 Chinese warplanes around the island—the second-highest daily number recorded—as well as 14 military vessels and eight official ships. For all these reasons, Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo denounced China for "ignoring international norms" and resorting to military "intimidation," which poses risks to air routes and commercial shipping.

Beijing has also intensified its rhetoric on Taiwan after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted that a hypothetical attack on the island could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

As part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's purge of the military to strengthen his control, the commander of the Eastern Theater Command, which oversees operations with Taiwan, was promoted to general last week. Some analysts say this move is intended to bolster the military for potential fighting on the island. "China not only has a huge numerical advantage, but now it has a qualitative advantage across the board in weaponry and probably also in training," Lyle Goldstein, Asia program director at the think tank Defense Priorities, told Reuters. "This is an arms race that Taiwan cannot win," he asserted.