BEIJING, China: Delivering a stern warning against any attempts toward Taiwanese independence, China's military stationed army, naval, air force, and rocket force units around Taiwan on December 29 for its "Just Mission 2025" drills, to test combat readiness.

The Chinese Eastern Theatre Command announced that the drills would involve live-fire exercises, in a statement accompanied by a graphic demarcating five zones surrounding the island that will be under sea and airspace.

This is China's sixth major round of war games since 2022 since then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. It follows a rise in Chinese rhetoric over Beijing's territorial claims after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

The drills serve as a warning to 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces and external interference forces, Shi Yi, a spokesperson for China's Eastern Theatre Command, said in a statement.

"The exercise focuses on training for maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, gaining integrated control, sealing off key ports and areas, and conducting multi-dimensional deterrence."

The military released a poster called "Shields of Justice: Smashing Illusions." It showed two golden shields with the Chinese army's insignia and the Great Wall, along with three military aircraft and two ships.

Taiwan's defence ministry did not immediately comment.

Last year, too, the Chinese military had conducted drills, which included practising port blockades, around Taiwan. However, this is the first time it has said publicly that the drills are meant to deter outside military involvement.

The drills started 11 days after the United States announced US$11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan — the most significant weapons package ever for the island. China's defence ministry protested the move and warned that the military would take decisive action in response.