China Conducts Major Military Exercises Around Taiwan

On December 29, 2025, China initiated extensive military exercises dubbed “Justice Mission 2025.” These drills involved various military assets, including warships, fighter jets, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles, simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s key ports. It’s said to be the most significant display of military force around Taiwan yet, incorporating operations across air and sea zones surrounding the island.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) mobilized its naval, air, and missile forces for high-intensity maneuvers that focused on coordinated strikes targeting land and maritime assets, particularly honing in on a potential blockade of Taiwan’s main deep-water ports.

In light of these drills, Taiwan has reported that around 100,000 international air travelers would be impacted due to over 1,000 flight cancellations and diversions. They labeled the Chinese government as “the biggest destroyer of peace.”

“The Chinese Communist Party’s military exercises further confirm its aggressor status and its role as a major threat to peace,” stated Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, noting that Taiwan’s military is on high alert.

This military encirclement follows the approval of a record $11.1 billion arms package from the U.S. to Taiwan, which includes mobile rocket launchers and precision-guided missiles, enhancing Taiwan’s military capabilities significantly. The package also features self-propelled howitzers, advanced UAV systems, and anti-armor weaponry.

While the Taiwan Relations Act instructs the U.S. to assist Taiwan in its defense, it does not mandate direct military intervention.

In recent developments, Japan has adopted a more assertive approach. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned that a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation.”

“If it involves the use of warships and military actions, it could definitely become a survival-threatening situation,” she remarked.

China’s military did not comment on the U.S. or Japan in their statements following the exercises. However, Beijing’s foreign ministry accused Taiwan’s leadership of pushing for independence by seeking military support from the U.S. A spokesperson warned that Taiwan’s arms purchase was turning it into a “powder keg.”

“The ‘Taiwan independence’ forces on the island are pushing for independence through military means, wasting the people’s resources on weapons that only escalate tensions,” said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Daily incursions by the Chinese military have become routine near Taiwan, and with these latest drills, Beijing has conducted six major encirclement exercises since 2022.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry reported the presence of “89 Chinese aircraft, 14 naval vessels, and 1 coast guard ship” around the island, with additional ships further out in the Western Pacific. There were also close encounters between Chinese vessels and Taiwanese ships near Taiwan’s territorial waters.

“Live-fire exercises around the Taiwan Strait not only exert military pressure on us but also complicate matters for the international community and neighboring countries,” remarked Hsieh Jih-sheng, Taiwan’s deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence.

Taiwan’s military is reportedly gearing up for quick response drills should the situation escalate. In tandem with the military activities, China has been spreading propaganda through videos showcasing advanced technologies and weaponry, including drones and robot soldiers.