Taiwan stays on high alert as Chinese ships pull back after massive drills

TAIPEI/BEIJING, Dec 31 (Reuters): Taiwan remained on high alert on Wednesday after China staged massive military drills around the island the previous day, keeping its emergency maritime response centre running as it monitored Chinese naval manoeuvres, the coast guard said.

The exercises named "Justice Mission 2025" saw China fire dozens of rockets towards Taiwan and deploy a large number of warships and aircraft near the island, in a show of force that drew concern from Western allies.

Beijing announced late on Wednesday the completion of the drills, saying that the military will remain on high alert and continue to strengthen combat readiness. Taipei condemned the drills as a threat to regional security and a blatant provocation.

Chinese ships were moving away from Taiwan, according to Kuan Bi-ling, head of Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council.