China on Tuesday fired missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan on the second day of large-scale live-fire military drills, further escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The Source reports that the two-day exercises, code-named “Justice Mission 2025,” are aimed at simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports and conducting assaults on maritime and aerial targets.

Taiwan’s authorities have condemned the drills, describing them as “highly provocative and reckless,” warning that they undermine regional peace and stability.

China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has consistently insisted that the island is part of its sovereign territory and has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve reunification.

AFP journalists stationed in Pingtan, a Chinese island located at the closest point to Taiwan’s main island, observed a volley of rockets launched into the air at about 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday. At least 10 missiles were reportedly fired in quick succession, leaving trails of white smoke and loud explosions that echoed across the area.

In a statement issued shortly after the launches, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) confirmed that it had “conducted long-range live-fire drills in waters north of Taiwan Island and achieved the desired effects.”

The latest show of force follows recent large-scale arms sales to Taiwan by the United States, the island’s principal security partner, as well as comments by Japan’s Prime Minister suggesting that the use of force against Taiwan could provoke a military response from Tokyo.

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, said on Tuesday that Beijing would “forcefully counter” what he described as extensive U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan, adding that any attempt to obstruct China’s reunification efforts “will inevitably end in failure.”

Similarly, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, described the drills as a “punitive response to Taiwan independence separatist forces” and a necessary measure to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In reaction, Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, issued a strong condemnation, accusing Beijing of deliberately destabilising the region through military intimidation.

“This is a blatant provocation against regional security and the international order,” Lai said in a post on Facebook, stressing that Taiwan would not escalate the situation.

Extensive Military Deployment
The PLA said it had deployed destroyers, frigates, fighter jets and bombers to carry out drills involving identification and verification, warning and expulsion procedures, simulated strikes, maritime assault operations, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare.

A statement from the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said the exercises, conducted in waters north and south of Taiwan, were designed to test sea-air coordination and integrated blockade and control capabilities.

China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, reported that a central focus of the drills was a simulated blockade of major Taiwanese ports, including Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south.

Chinese authorities also released a map showing five designated zones around Taiwan where the drills were taking place, with the exercises scheduled to end at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Impact on Taiwan

Taiwan’s authorities said some of the drill zones were within 12 nautical miles of its coastline, disrupting international shipping and aviation routes.

The island’s Civil Aviation Administration reported the cancellation of dozens of flights to the Kinmen and Matsu islands, affecting about 6,000 passengers, while more than 850 international flights were expected to experience delays.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence said it detected 130 Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval ships, and eight government vessels operating near the island within a 24-hour period ending at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday.

Taiwan’s coast guard confirmed it deployed 14 ships to monitor Chinese naval movements, adopting a “one-on-one shadowing approach” to deter the vessels.
Public Reaction

Despite the heightened military activity, many residents in Taiwan appeared unfazed.

A fishmonger in Taipei, Chiang Sheng-ming, said repeated drills over the years had made people accustomed to such developments.

“If you stand your ground, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said.
Another resident, Tseng

Chang-chih, expressed doubt that the situation would escalate into war, describing the drills as mere posturing.

China last conducted large-scale live-fire exercises around Taiwan in April, actions that were strongly criticised by Taipei.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about the drills, dismissing speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping would order an invasion of Taiwan.

Source reports that tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain a major flashpoint in East Asian geopolitics, with implications for global security and international trade.