Quick Read
– China conducts extensive military drills around Taiwan.
– Aims for complete isolation of the island.
– Five strategic zones for military operations identified.
– Exercises reveal readiness for sustained pressure, not just limited actions.
– Signals serious implications for US and allied responses.
As tensions between China and Taiwan continue to escalate, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has launched a series of military exercises that are raising alarms not only in Taipei but also across the globe. Dubbed “Mission of Justice — 2025,” these drills, which commenced abruptly, are not merely routine training; they embody a tactical formulation aimed at developing scenarios for the potential forceful resolution of the Taiwan question.
At the crux of these exercises lies a strategic intent: to simulate the complete isolation of Taiwan. This includes blocking external assistance, isolating the island, and ultimately neutralizing any opposing forces within this confined area. The PLA is signaling its readiness to implement a comprehensive blockade, suggesting a shift away from limited military coercion towards a full encirclement of Taiwan, effectively forcing its capitulation without the immediate need for a large-scale amphibious invasion.
Geographical and Operational Significance
The PLA Eastern Theater Command has announced these drills will occur in five distinct zones: surrounding the Taiwan Strait, and extending to regions north, south-west, south-east, and east of the island. This strategy effectively closes all maritime and aerial routes in and out of Taiwan.
The encirclement is methodically designed to include all major ports and naval bases on the island, such as Keelung, Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. By controlling the northern portion of the island, the PLA minimizes the risk of Japanese intervention while simultaneously blocking potential US military routes for support, painting a dire picture for Taiwan’s defensive posture.
Through mastering the scenario of complete isolation, China appears to be planning a strategy that cuts Taiwan off from essential energy supplies, logistical support, and military aid—an approach that could quickly culminate in a state of desperation for the island’s leadership and armed forces.
Four Key Training Objectives
The drills are centered around four critical objectives, reflecting a comprehensive approach to exerting military pressure:
1. **Maritime and Aerial Combat Patrols**: The PLA aims to maintain constant combat readiness around Taiwan, shortening the transition time from peacetime to military engagement. This creates a backdrop of ongoing pressure on Taiwan’s defense mechanisms.
2. **Achieving Superiority Across Domains**: The focus extends beyond achieving dominance in conventional arenas—land, sea, and air—to encompass electromagnetic, informational, and cyber domains. The objective is to paralyze Taiwan’s command, intelligence, and communication systems before active hostilities begin, targeting critical assets like submarines and aircraft.
3. **Blockade of Ports and Critical Areas**: A central element of these exercises is the objective to halt all external supply lines—especially fuel, energy resources, munitions, and food supplies. By doing so, the PLA effectively traps Taiwan’s leadership, stripping them of any viable options for escape or maneuverability.
4. **External Deterrence**: The PLA appears to be developing an A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) strategy, establishing zones that are perilous or inaccessible to US forces and their allies. This demonstrates China’s intention to conduct military operations not only in the immediate vicinity of Taiwan but also beyond.
Political and Military Implications
Beyond military readiness, the exercises serve as a pointed message to Taiwan’s administration, particularly amid its ongoing rapprochement with the United States. The drills indicate a grim reality: in the event of a crisis, escape routes would be cut off, external assistance severed, and acts of resistance would likely lead to swift defeat.
Additionally, the maneuvers send a stark warning to the US and its allies—response times will be minimal. The routes for military intervention have been preemptively blocked, with successful military engagement remaining uncertain.
As China escalates its military assertiveness, the implications for Taiwan, the United States, and regional stability are profound. These exercises not only showcase military capabilities but also reflect an ambitious, calculated strategy towards Taiwan that could redefine the security environment in East Asia.
Narek Nersisyan