China commenced a series of live-fire military drills around Taiwan on October 23, 2023. The exercises aim to simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island’s critical ports, escalating tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan’s defense ministry condemned the drills, labeling them as “military intimidation” and further evidence of China’s aggressive posture.
Taiwan’s military has established a response center, deploying “appropriate forces” and conducting rapid response exercises. Beijing asserts its claim over Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has not excluded the possibility of military action to assert control over the island. This display of military might follows announcements earlier in October regarding a record arms sales package exceeding $10 billion from the United States to Taiwan, which is the island’s primary security ally. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also indicated that Japan could intervene militarily if China were to act against Taiwan.
In a statement released on the morning of the drills, the Chinese military did not mention the United States or Japan. It declared that the live-fire training would target maritime objectives to the north and southwest of Taiwan. The exercises involve a range of military assets, including destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers, and drones. Senior Colonel Shi Yi of the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command described the drills, code-named “Justice Mission 2025,” as focusing on “sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain.”
To further emphasize the scale of the operations, Chinese authorities released a map outlining five large zones around Taiwan where additional live-fire activities are scheduled for ten hours on the following day. The statement cautioned that any unrelated vessels or aircraft should avoid entering the designated waters and airspace for safety reasons.
Taiwan’s Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo criticized China’s actions, stating they reflect a blatant “disregard for international norms” and serve as a military threat to neighboring countries. On the same day, Taiwan reported detecting four Chinese coastguard vessels operating near its northern and eastern coasts. In response, Taiwan’s coastguard deployed large vessels to position themselves for potential contingencies and dispatched additional support units.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the implications of these military drills could have broader ramifications for regional stability. The ongoing tensions highlight the delicate balance of power in the Taiwan Strait and the potential for further escalation in the face of military posturing from both China and its adversaries.
