China launches major war games around Taiwan in Justice Mission 2025
China initiated its most extensive war games around Taiwan on Monday, dubbed "Justice Mission 2025," demonstrating Beijing's capability to isolate the island from external support during conflict. The exercises test Taipei's defenses and U.S.-supplied weapons amid ongoing tensions rooted in China's "one China" policy since 1949, when the Republic of China government fled to Taiwan after the civil war. Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, asserting its independence as the Republic of China with self-determination by its people. Historical flashpoints include near-wars post-1949, 1958 artillery bombardments of Kinmen and Matsu islands, and 1996 missile tests before Taiwan's first direct presidential election won by Lee Teng-hui. Recent escalations feature 2022 drills after Nancy Pelosi's Taipei visit with ballistic missiles overflying the island; April 2023 exercises post-Tsai Ing-wen's U.S. meeting; August 2023 response to Lai Ching-te's U.S. trip; May 2024 "Joint Sword-2024A" after […]