China Fires Long-Range PCL-191 Rockets North of Taiwan in ‘Justice Mission 2025’ Live-Fire Drills

Beijing / Taipei : China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted long-range live-fire rocket launches from its southeastern coast, firing multiple salvos from PCL-191 modular multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) deployed in Fujian province as part of large-scale military exercises dubbed “Justice Mission 2025.” The rockets were launched toward designated maritime zones north of Taiwan, with impacts reported in open ocean waters, sharply escalating already high cross-strait tensions.

Video footage released by Chinese state media showed PLA Rocket Force units firing a reported 16 long-range rockets from truck-mounted PCL-191 launchers positioned along the coastline facing Taiwan. Defence analysts note that the PCL-191 (also known as PHL-191) is a modern, modular rocket artillery system capable of firing guided and unguided munitions with ranges sufficient to strike targets across the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese military sources also indicated that a CH-4 (Rainbow-4) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used for reconnaissance, targeting, and battle damage assessment, highlighting the PLA’s growing emphasis on network-centric and joint warfare operations integrating rockets, drones, naval forces, and combat aircraft.

Beijing Issues ‘Stern Warning’

In an official statement, the PLA Eastern Theatre Command described the drills as a “stern warning” against “Taiwan independence separatist forces” and external interference, an apparent reference to recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Chinese officials said the exercises were designed to test precision strike capability, joint firepower coordination, and area-denial operations under realistic combat conditions.

Military observers say the inclusion of long-range rocket artillery—rather than only ballistic missiles or air power—signals a deliberate attempt by Beijing to demonstrate scalable coercive options that can apply pressure without immediately crossing the threshold into full-scale conflict.

Taiwan Condemns ‘Military Intimidation’

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense strongly condemned the launches, calling them “blatant military intimidation” that undermines regional peace and stability. Taipei confirmed that no rockets struck Taiwanese territory, but said its armed forces were placed on heightened alert and closely tracked the launches using joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems.

In response, Taiwan publicly underscored the readiness of its own long-range strike capabilities, including U.S.-supplied HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) units. Taiwanese officials noted that these systems are capable of reaching coastal areas of Fujian, reinforcing what Taipei described as a credible deterrence posture.

Wider Regional Impact

The Justice Mission 2025 drills are among the largest and most complex military exercises conducted by China around Taiwan to date, involving naval vessels, combat aircraft, missile forces, and amphibious units operating across multiple zones. Analysts warn that the scale, frequency, and live-fire nature of such exercises significantly increase the risk of miscalculation or accidental escalation in one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints.

As the drills continue, regional and international observers are closely watching for signs of further escalation or de-escalation, with many viewing the rocket launches as a clear message from Beijing that military pressure on Taiwan is becoming more explicit, more integrated, and more routine.