-China launches military drills around Taiwan

China's military moved army, naval, air force and rocket force units around Taiwan for its "Just Mission 2025" drills, aimed at testing combat readiness and delivering a "stern warning" against moves toward Taiwanese independence.



The Eastern Theatre Command announced the drills will involve live-fire exercises on Tuesday, in a statement containing graphic demarcating five zones surrounding the island that will be under sea and air space restrictions for 10 hours from 8:30 a‍.



This marks China's sixth major round of war games since 2022 after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the self-governed island, and follow a rise ⁠in Chinese rhetoric over Beijing's territorial claims after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.



The military released a poster titled "Shields of Justice: Smashing Illusions," featuring two golden shields emblazoned with the Chinese People's ⁠Liberation Army insignia and the Great Wall of China, along with three military aircraft and two ships.



Taiwan's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.