into waters off Taiwan during Tuesday’s large-scale live-fire exercises, carrying out its largest military encirclement of the island in eight months while issuing warnings to “separatist” forces and external powers.

A video issued by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command depicted forces launching rockets into waters north of Taiwan and bomber planes taking off at night as part of the encirclement operation.

The footage was made public on the second day of the large-scale exercise “Justice Mission 2025.”

China launched the exercise on Monday, involving surrounding , aircraft, and live-fire drills as tensions escalated following a record U.S. arms sale to Taipei.

“Justice Mission 2025” encompasses coordinated deployments of ground forces, , fighter jets, drones, and artillery across seven maritime zones surrounding Taiwan.

Tuesday’s exercises featured long-range live-fire drills in waters north of Taiwan, stated PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Li Xi, per state-run Xinhua News. Li noted that the drills met their intended objectives.

Additional drills involved attacks on maritime targets as well as anti-air and anti-submarine operations. Destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, and bombers also conducted simulated strikes against maritime targets.

Rockets launched by Chinese forces landed within Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile boundary, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry announced.

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te stated on Tuesday that Beijing “has kept escalating military tensions in the region, which does not align with the behavior of a responsible global power,” per Focus Taiwan. He further noted that “Taiwan will not provoke a confrontation, nor will it seek conflict with China.”

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported on X that as of 6 a.m. local time, 130 PLA aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and eight official ships were operating near the island.

“Ninety out of the 130 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone,” the statement read. “We monitored the situation and took responsive actions.”

The PLA stated on X that a Chinese military drone captured aerial footage of Taipei 101—something Taiwan’s Defense Ministry labeled as a classic instance of psychological warfare. “So close, so beautiful; we can go to Taipei anytime,” the PLA wrote in the post.

President Donald Trump said Monday that Chinese President had not informed him of the drills, adding that the exercises did not concern him.

As the drills proceeded, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry noted that Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels were operating near the island, with some engaging in close standoffs near Taiwan’s contiguous zone—roughly 24 nautical miles from the shore.

“Carrying out live-fire exercises around the Taiwan Strait would not only exert military pressure on us but could also present wider risks to the international community and neighboring nations,” stated Hsieh Jih-sheng, Taiwan’s deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence.

Taiwan placed its and stated it was ready to carry out rapid-response exercises if the drills escalated. The ministry released video showcasing its own capabilities, including U.S.-made HIMARS systems, while the coast guard deployed large patrol ships to monitor Chinese vessels near its waters.

China asserts Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects this claim, insisting that only its people have the right to decide the island’s future.

Digital’s Morgan Phillips and Reuters contributed to this report.