Overview
- China’s Eastern Theater Command mapped five sea and air zones to be restricted for roughly 10 hours on December 30 starting 8:30 a.m. local time.
- The operation mobilizes army, navy, air force and rocket units to rehearse sea-air patrols, seize comprehensive control and simulate blockades of key ports including Keelung and Kaohsiung.
- Taiwan condemned the exercises as intimidation, set up a response center, placed forces on high alert and ran rapid-response drills after detecting PLA aircraft and ships nearby.
- Beijing’s move follows the US approval of about $11.1 billion in arms for Taiwan and recent symbolic sanctions on 20 American defense firms.
- This sixth major PLA round since 2022 also features overt messaging to deter foreign militaries, with state media releasing maps and propaganda posters for the drills.