January 1, China Encircles Taiwan With Massive War Games

Wyatt’s Take

• China launched huge drills, boxing in Taiwan with warships and fighter jets.
• Beijing claims the show of force is a warning after a U.S. arms deal with Taiwan.
• Taiwan stands alert, bracing for more threats in the region.

China kicked off its biggest military drills yet around Taiwan this week, sending warships, planes, and artillery to completely surround the island.

The operation, called Justice Mission 2025, stretches across seven sea zones, with forces practicing strikes and blockading Taiwan’s major ports.

Live-fire exercises pushed closer to Taiwan than ever before, forcing changes in airline routes and causing traffic delays at sea and in the air.

Chinese military leaders say the action is aimed at so-called separatists and foreign meddlers.

“It is a stern warning against ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Senior Col. Shi Yi of China’s military said.

This roundup comes just days after the U.S. signed off on an $11.1 billion arms deal for Taiwan—its largest ever.

Beijing blasted the move, saying it would make Taiwan a “powder keg” and bring the region closer to war.

The American package packs a punch, with rocket launchers, missiles, drones, and military software all heading to the island.

Chinese diplomats say this weapon buying will only make matters worse for Taiwan and risk greater regional conflict.

“This cannot save the doomed fate of ‘Taiwan independence’ but will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war. The U.S. support for ‘Taiwan Independence’ through arms will only end up backfiring. Using Taiwan to contain China will not succeed.”

As the drills went on, Taiwan’s forces kept watch on nearly 90 Chinese planes and over a dozen boats circling the island, while tensions rose in the surrounding waters.

“Conducting live-fire exercises around the Taiwan Strait … would not only constitute military pressure on us, but could also pose more complex challenges and impacts for the international community and neighboring countries,” Hsieh Jih-sheng, a top official in Taiwan’s defense, said.

Taiwan’s military increased vigilance and released videos showing off U.S.-provided weapon systems.

State-run broadcasters in China showed off high-tech robots and drone swarms, suggesting more advanced tactics if China ever decided to invade.

Civilians in Taiwan say these drills are meant to scare the public, but stress that Taiwan’s future is up to its own people, not outside pressure.

Read more at Fox News

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