Multiple forces of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan Island on Monday, said Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct drills in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, Shi said.

The drills will focus on subjects of sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain, he added.

"With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services engage in joint assaults to test their joint operations capabilities," he said.

It is a stern warning against "Taiwan Independence" separatist forces and external interference, and a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, he said.

The Eastern Theatre Command also said the drills will involve live-fire exercises on Tuesday, in a statement containing a graphic demarcating five zones surrounding the island that will be under sea and air space restrictions for 10 hours from ‍8am.

The military also released a poster titled "Shields of Justice: Smashing Illusions," featuring two golden shields emblazoned with the PLA insignia and the Great Wall of China, along with three military aircraft and two ships.

The drills began 11 days after the US announced US$11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest ever weapons package for the island, drawing a protest from the defence ministry and warnings the military ⁠would "take forceful measures" in response. (Xinhua/ Reuters)