China fired missiles into waters north and south of Taiwan on Tuesday, deploying amphibious assault ships, bomber aircraft, and destroyers on the second day of what Beijing describes as its largest and closest-ever military drills simulating a blockade of the island, Reuters reported.
China’s Eastern Theater Command announced that live-fire exercises would continue until 6:00 p.m., targeting maritime and airspace zones in five areas surrounding Taiwan. The Chinese military also released footage showing a PCH-191 mobile rocket launcher firing missiles into the sea from an undisclosed location inside China.
Simulated Attacks on Taiwanese Targets
According to Chinese military statements, naval and air force units simulated attacks on Taiwanese naval and air targets, including anti-submarine operations in the northern and southern waters of the democratically governed island.
The drills, codenamed “Justice Mission 2025,” began 11 days after the United States announced a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, underscoring the geopolitical tension driving the exercise.
A senior Taiwanese security official told Reuters that authorities in Taipei are closely monitoring whether this sixth major round of Chinese drills since 2022 could escalate further — including the possibility of missiles being fired directly over Taiwan, as occurred after the 2022 visit of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Focus on U.S.-Supplied Weapons Systems
Taiwanese officials believe the drills are also designed to practice striking land-based targets, including the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems recently supplied to Taiwan. HIMARS, a highly mobile artillery platform with a range of up to 300 kilometers, could potentially strike targets along China’s southern coast.
China’s PCH-191 long-range modular rocket launcher, which Beijing claims is comparable to HIMARS, was unveiled at a major military parade in September. State media assert the system can strike any point on Taiwan, significantly raising concerns over Beijing’s offensive capabilities.
Taiwan Calls for Calm, Signals Readiness
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said in a Facebook post that frontline troops are fully prepared to defend the island, while emphasizing that Taipei does not seek escalation.
“We are ready to defend our sovereignty, but we do not want conflict,” Lai wrote.
Strategic Timing and Political Calculations
Analysts suggest Beijing may feel emboldened by ongoing tariff negotiations with Washington and by internal political divisions within Taiwan’s parliament.
Lyle Goldstein, a senior analyst at the U.S.-based think tank Defense Priorities, said China likely sees the current moment as an opportunity to apply pressure without triggering immediate confrontation.
Regional Implications
The missile launches and large-scale maneuvers reinforce growing fears in the region that China is normalizing military coercion against Taiwan, gradually shifting from symbolic demonstrations to operational rehearsals for a real blockade.
Observers warn that each escalation reduces the margin for miscalculation, increasing the risk of a broader regional conflict involving the United States and its allies.
