"China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan on Monday, warning it would 'resolutely thwart' separatist forces and external interference as tensions in the region continue to rise. The PLA Eastern Theatre Command said the joint exercises, code-named 'Justice Mission 2025,' involve army, navy, air force and rocket force units operating in the Taiwan Strait and in waters and airspace to the north, southwest, southeast and east of the island. According to the command, the drills focus on sea-and-air combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of battlefield superiority, blockades of key ports and areas, and what it described as 'all-dimensional deterrence' beyond the island chain. "As frontline commanders, we have full confidence and the capability to safeguard regional security and stability, protect national sovereignty and interests, and defend the territorial integrity of our motherland in the face of any sabotage, provocation, infringement, or disruption," said PLA's Navy officer. China's air force launched fighters, bombers and special-mission aircraft from several airfields shortly after midnight, forming large-scale formations to conduct sea target strikes, air-superiority missions and simulated land attacks in coordination with naval and long-range fire units. The PLA Rocket Force also deployed missile launchers loaded with live ammunition in a southeastern coastal area, conducting simulated strikes on key military targets. Ground forces, including long-range rocket launcher units, carried out successive simulated barrages, with soldiers describing the drills as preparation to defend China's territorial integrity. The exercises are expected to continue through Tuesday and come amid Beijing's anger over an $11.1 billion US arms sale to Taiwan, the largest in the island's history, as well as comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could respond if China attacks Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence strongly condemned the drills as an 'irrational provocation,' saying it had established a response centre, deployed appropriate forces and carried out rapid-response exercises to monitor and counter the PLA's activities."