Sketch map of the drill areas released by PLA Eastern Theater Command on December 29, 2025. Photo: WeChat account of PLA Eastern Threater Command

The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Li Xi announced that at 9:00 am on Tuesday, PLA Eastern Theater Command Army troops conducted long-range live-fire strikes in relevant waters north of Taiwan island, achieving the expected results. A professor from the National Defense University told the Global Times on the same day that all energy facilities, major ports, and military bases of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are under the PLA's fire coverage network.

On Monday, Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command, said that PLA started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan island on Monday. The PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct drills in the Taiwan Straits and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island.

The operation focuses on subjects of sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain. With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services will engage in joint assaults so as to test their joint operations capabilities, Shi said.

According to the schedule, from 08:00 to 18:00 Tuesday, the Eastern Theater Command will conduct important military exercises in designated sea and air spaces, including live-fire shooting. The five major sea and air exercise zones were previously announced to the public.

This live-fire shooting has attracted significant attention. Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, citing sources from the island, reported that the five exercise zones all include Taiwan's "12 nautical mile" "territorial waters" and "airspace," making it the closest approach to Taiwan since the mainland's encirclement exercises in 2022.

"The live-fire shooting in this exercise is a major highlight," National Defense University professor Zhang Chi told the Global Times on Tuesday.

According to Zhang, the live-fire shooting in this exercise has three main characteristics: First, diverse firepower, including live-fire shooting with naval guns, precise strikes with long-range rocket artillery, and simulated precise strikes with conventional missiles. Second, diverse targets-not only striking the lifeline of energy import transportation for secessionists but also blockading their major ports and military bases. Third, multi-directional orientations, encircling Taiwan island from north to south and west to east. All energy facilities, major ports, and military bases of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are under the PLA's fire coverage network. 

"This shows that we have the capability to act at any time upon orders. Through live-fire shooting and joint strikes, we will thoroughly sever their energy lines, supply lines, and escape routes, resolutely crushing their delusions and sinister plots of 'using force to resist reunification' and 'relying on external forces to seek independence,'" Zhang said. 

Zhang said that the biggest feature of this exercise is the integrated linkage between inner and outer lines, with forces and firepower maximizing distant control over the enemy. 

He said that, first, in terms of timing, this exercise combines blockade and strike. The exercises on Monday focused mainly on blockade, emphasizing the shaping of a joint encirclement of the island and multidimensional isolation. Participating troops practiced approaching Taiwan island from multiple directions and seizing control of sea and air dominance in key areas. The exercises on Tuesday focused mainly on strikes, emphasizing live-fire attacks to reinforce blockade, this is also the centerpiece of the exercises. 

Second, in terms of spatial arrangement, this exercise integrates inner and outer operations, with three orientations worth noting. First is nearshore. Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels conducted comprehensive law enforcement patrols in waters near Matsu and Wuqiu islands. Second is Taiwan island. Participating troops continued to press in and blockade Taiwan island, particularly overseeing and deterring key passages and areas around it. Third is east of Taiwan island. Participating troops conducted exercises in sea and air spaces east of Taiwan island on subjects such as strikes against maritime targets, regional air superiority, submarine search, and anti-submarine operations. Bomber formations coordinated with amphibious assault ship formations in ship-aircraft synergy, conducting exercises on strikes against sea targets and long-range raids.

"Combining these three orientations, it covers both inside and outside the Straits-an inner-outer integration. Through this series of exercises, we have demonstrated our strong capability to seize comprehensive control of the Taiwan Straits, forming a powerful deterrent against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interfering forces," Zhang said.