China conducts second day of live-fire drills around Taiwan

發佈日期: 2025-12-30 22:00

TVB News

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The People's Liberation Army continued its "Justice Mission 2025" exercises around Taiwan, conducting live-fire drills for a second day.

China said the exercises are necessary to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China unleashed a live-fire show of force as part of its "Justice Mission 2025" military exercises off Taiwan.

The drills are designed to cut off supplies to the island from Japan and nearby US bases in case of a conflict, demonstrating Beijing's ability to deter any external armed support.

The PLA's Eastern Theatre Command sent destroyers, frigates, fighters and bombers to the waters to the north and south of the island to test its ability in sea-air coordination and blockading. 

Its ground forces carried out long-range, live-fire drills in the waters to the island's north and also organised live-fire training.

This alongside simulated long-range, joint strike with air, navy and missiles units, in the waters to Taiwan's south, achieving what command spokesperson Li Xi called "desired effects".

Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration was notified that seven temporary "dangerous zones" had been set up around the strait. 

On Tuesday afternoon, its four international airports showed over 100 international and domestic flights had revised times, delays or cancellations.

While Beijing sends warplanes and navy vessels towards the island on a near-daily basis, the scale of these exercises escalated tensions between both sides. 

China has vowed to seize the island, by force if necessary.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said the drills served as a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external forces, without naming any countries. 

The PLA Eastern Theatre Command also released an AI-generated promotional clip. It has a high-altitude "eagle swarm" which transforms into drones; an underwater "shark swarm" that becomes unmanned underwater vehicles; a "mechanical wolf swarm" and units of humanoid robots which aim to enhance combat effectiveness and reduce personnel casualties. 

The Global Times cited analysis saying the clip signifies that the PLA's operational concepts are keeping pace with the times, and that its new-type combat capabilities continue to grow.