China announces military drills around Taiwan this week

December 30 ------ China said it is conducting "major" military exercises around Taiwan, with live firing activities to be conducted across five zones in waters and airspace near the self-governed island claimed by Beijing. "The PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct joint military drills code-named 'Justice Mission 2025'," said a statement from Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the force, using an acronym for China's military.

A separate statement with a map showed five large zones surrounding the island where "live firing activities will be organized" from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday (0000 to 1000 GMT Tuesday). "For the sake of safety, any irrelevant vessel or aircraft is advised not to enter the afore-mentioned waters and airspace," the statement said.

The large-scale show of force comes after weeks of tensions between China and Japan, started by comments suggesting Tokyo's potential support for Taiwan in the event of a future armed conflict. It also follows the latest round of arms sales to Taipei from the United States, sparking a furious response from Beijing, which last week slapped sanctions on 20 US defense firms.

The drills this week are "a stern warning against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity", Shi said in the statement.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com