China has launched live-fire military drills around Taiwan in a stern warning against “separatist” forces and foreign interference. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sent naval, air, and rocket forces to surround Taiwan on Monday morning under the exercise named Justice Mission 2025. Chinese coast guard vessels also carried out law enforcement checks at sea. Col Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA’s eastern theatre command, said the drills were “a stern warning against ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces.” He added, “It is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.” Taiwan’s defence ministry condemned the drills as an escalation of tensions and a threat to regional peace. It said Taiwan dispatched appropriate forces for response and counter combat-readiness exercises. The ministry declared, “Defending democracy and freedom is no provocation, and the existence of the Republic of China is not an excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo.” The Taiwanese coast guard also warned the drills posed risks to navigation and fishermen’s rights. Beijing views Taiwan as a Chinese province and plans to annex it, preparing a possible invasion by 2027. The CCP under Xi Jinping has pushed for “peaceful reunification” with mostly threats and coercive actions, which Taiwan’s people and parliament widely reject. Taiwan is enhancing its military to resist control. These drills are the PLA’s first against Taiwan since April and coincide with rising tensions after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted at possible military involvement if China attacks Taiwan. The US approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan recently, prompting angry reactions from Beijing. China’s eastern theatre command announced the operation involves ships, aircraft, destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles. The drills test sea-air coordination, precise target hunting, and strike abilities including submarine targets. Maps issued suggest large zones around Taiwan’s south, north, and northwest are part of the exercise. Analysts say the drill zones are larger and closer than usual and marked the first time China said they were practicing deterring international intervention. Multiple PLA aircraft remained visible on radar, signaling China’s growing anti-access and area denial capabilities, noted William Yang of the International Crisis Group. Justice Mission 2025 is the sixth major PLA exercise targeting Taiwan since 2022. Taiwan’s security officials warned such large drills might be part of Beijing’s pressure campaign against Tokyo after Takaichi’s comments. Yang adds Beijing will watch the US response closely when planning future operations.