China has conducted its largest and most expansive military drills around Taiwan to date, firing rockets into waters north and south of the island and rehearsing a full-scale blockade.

Axar.az, citing Reuters, reports that the 10-hour live-fire exercises, named “Justice Mission 2025,” involved naval, air, and ground forces simulating strikes on maritime, aerial and land-based targets, as well as anti-submarine operations.

Beijing said the drills were aimed not only at Taiwan but also at deterring “external forces,” directly warning the United States and its allies against intervention. Taiwan’s security officials said China appeared to be simulating attacks on U.S.-supplied weapons systems, including HIMARS rocket launchers. Taiwan’s president said the island’s forces were on alert but stressed Taipei did not want to escalate tensions.

The drills come shortly after the U.S. approved a record $11.1bn arms package for Taiwan and amid heightened regional rhetoric involving Japan. The exercises disrupted air and sea traffic around Taiwan and featured the deployment of new Chinese amphibious assault ships.

U.S. defence officials believe China is preparing to be capable of seizing Taiwan by 2027.