A recent series of military exercises around Taiwan hints at how China plans to cut off the island in the event of conflict—and prevent Japan from sending a relief force.

China may have revealed parts of its military plans in the event of an invasion of Taiwan.   

From December 29 to 30, the People’s Liberation Army, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and China Coast Guard held a large-scale military drill around Taiwan, under the title “Justice Mission 2025.” As part of the drill, Chinese warships and aircraft deployed close to Japan in an attempt to seal off the area around Taiwan and isolate the beleaguered island nation.

How China Plans to Isolate Taiwan from Japan

During the exercises, Japanese forces tracked Chinese ships and aircraft transiting through Japan’s southwest region. Specifically, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) spotted and tracked eight Chinese military aircraft, two H-6 strategic bombers, two Y-9 electronic intelligence aircraft, two J-16 fighter jets, and an additional two presumed fighter jets. The aircraft came from the East China Sea and flew between Okinawa and Miyako Island to enter the Philippine Sea. They flew back the same route.

A visual depiction of the flight routes released by the Japanese military shows a clear attempt to draw a cordon between Japan and Taiwan—presumably to deny outside help to the island nation in the event of an invasion.  

Several Chinese warships also sailed through the area. Interestingly, a Russian surveillance ship was also present, suggesting a greater level of military coordination between the two nations.

US military commanders have warned that the Chinese military is getting close to a point where it will have the necessary equipment and expertise to launch an amphibious invasion of Taiwan.  

Last year, U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), said in his annual testimony to Congress that he intended to increase the US military activity around the island nation by 300 percent.   

Chinese Ships Simulated a Blockade Around Taiwan   

The war games around Taiwan were one of the largest military drills the Chinese military has held lately. The goal of the exercise was simple: conduct a simulated blockade of the island nation in preparation for an amphibious invasion.   

“The Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command has successfully completed ‘Justice Mission 2025’ military drills and fully tested the integrated joint operations capabilities of its troops,” a Chinese military spokesperson stated in a press release.   

“The troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command will remain on high alert at all times, keep strengthening combat readiness through arduous training, resolutely thwart the attempts of ‘Taiwan Independence’ separatists and external intervention, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Chinese military added.   

The release was accompanied by a provocative poster titled “Chain of Justice.” The poster showed a powerful arm extending from China, wielding a chain that surrounds Taiwan, creating a thorny blockade. A subtitle stated in Chinese, “Punish ‘Taiwan independence,’ deter external interference.”

The Taiwanese military reported that approximately 130 PLA aircraft, 14 PLAN ships, and eight Chinese coast guard ships took part in the large-scale blockade exercise. Taipei noted that 90 of the 130 Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).  

Taiwan has been an independent country since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. The nationalist forces retreated to the island and established a separate nation. Since then, China has been looking to unify the two countries through diplomacy and talks, but also through force if necessary.   

About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou  

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.   

Image: Shutterstock / Massimo Todaro.

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