China announced the start of “large” military exercises around Taiwan starting this Monday, which will include live-fire activities in five maritime and air zones near the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own.

“Starting December 29, the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Eastern Theater Command The PLA will deploy soldiers from its army, navy, air force, and rocket force to conduct joint military exercises called "Mission Justice 2025," military spokesperson Colonel Shi Yi said in a statement. In a separate statement, the PLA displayed a map with five large zones around Taiwan where live-fire exercises will be conducted from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Tuesday (midnight to 10:00 am GMT). Taiwan protests. In response, the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei criticized Beijing's "irrational provocations" and "various forms of military harassment and disinformation operations" against Taiwan. The ministry asserted that it has deployed "appropriate" forces in accordance with protocols to "protect freedom and democracy" and safeguard Taiwanese sovereignty. According to the military statement, the maneuvers are taking place in various areas around the island, including areas of the Taiwan Strait and maritime and airspace to the north, southwest, southeast, and east of the island territory. The large-scale deployment comes after weeks of tensions between China and Japan, sparked by comments suggesting potential Japanese support for Taiwan in the event of a future armed conflict. There is also conflict between China and the US. It also follows the most recent US arms sale to Taiwan, which provoked an angry response from Beijing, which last week imposed sanctions on 20 US arms companies. This week's maneuvers are "a firm warning to separatist forces seeking Taiwan independence." and are “a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity,” Shi added in the statement. The exercises also come at a time of heightened friction between China and the United States over Taiwan,After Washington recently approved measures to strengthen security cooperation with the island and advanced new procedures for arms sales to Taipei. Beijing reacted to that announcement with sanctions against US defense companies.