CHINA has launched terrifying new military drills around Taiwan with Beijing threatening to “annihilate” its neighbour amid escalating war fears.
Xi Jinping’s army, navy and air force have all been deployed for massive live-fire exercises simulating the seizure and blockade of Taiwan in the latest warning shot to “separatist forces”.
China’s military declared the exercises, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025, would go on for several days until Beijing completes its “multi-dimensional deterrence” training.
Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre Command, said the activities will focus on “training for maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, gaining integrated control and sealing off key ports and areas.”
The drills serve “as a serious warning to Taiwan Independence separatist forces and external interference forces”, he added.
In response, Taiwan sent up fighter jets to protect their air space and monitor Beijing’s movements as they continue to move closer to the self-governing island.
Military leaders also scrambled together plans for their troops to take part in war rehearsals to get them prepared to repel any looming attack.
The drills are taking place just days after the US announced the sale of one of its largest weapons packages to Taiwan worth an estimated £8.2bn.
China fiercely protested the sale and hit out at Washington for aiding their allies.
Fears also grew that the package could plunge the region into serious instability.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi even suggested his own military could get involved if China were to attack the self-governed island.
