The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced that starting from the 29th, it would conduct the “Justice Mission-2025” exercise in the Taiwan Strait, as well as the northern, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern waters off the island of Taiwan. Meng Xiangqing, a professor at China’s National Defense University, described this exercise as creating a 'shut the door and beat the dog' scenario for the Taiwanese military bases.
Meng Xiangqing noted that the Eastern Theater Command promptly released a map showing the drill zones. Compared to the 2022 exercise, the zones set this time are closer to the island of Taiwan, forming an even tighter encirclement chain. The proximity and tightness have increased, more fully demonstrating an all-round, seamless “blockade-strike integration.”
According to a video released by the “China Junhao” app, operated by the PLA News Communication Center, Meng Xiangqing analyzed that Taiwan's land area is limited, marked by numerous mountains, rivers, and hilly terrain—long from north to south and narrow from east to west, rendering it almost devoid of defensive depth and unable to withstand prolonged warfare.
Meng Xiangqing pointed out that the island of Taiwan also severely lacks strategic resources, and its sea transport, energy, and supply lines are essentially lifelines for the island. The five exercise zones set this time are mostly located on these lifelines. For instance, two are to the north of the main island, close to the waters off Keelung Port, effectively sealing off this important port.
The other two zones are located to the south of the main island, close to Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung, effectively cutting off Taiwan’s largest maritime route and forming a 'shut the door and beat the dog' posture against crucial military bases of the Taiwanese forces. There is also a zone east of the main island, directly targeting major external routes on Taiwan’s eastern edge, demonstrating the capability to deter foreign interference.
Meng Xiangqing concluded that this exercise highlights new features such as blockade control from inner lines, integrated blockade and strike, deterrence from outer lines, maritime and aerial interdiction, and the ability to control the enemy both at close and long range. It sends an important signal: seeking “independence” with backing from external forces is a road to disaster.