China announces drills around Taiwan amid Tensions
29th Dec. 2025
China has announced a large-scale military drill around Taiwan. They said that the exercises will simulate the seizure and blockade of key areas on the self-ruled island and serve as a warning against “separatist forces”. The drills, involving live-fire exercises, are scheduled for Tuesday. Apart from this, it also includes the army, navy, air force, and rocket force, the Chinese Military said.
With the codename “Justice Mission 2025”, the operation comes just days after the United States approved one of its largest-ever arms sales to Taiwan, valued at $11bn. As soon as the deal was announced, Beijing sharply criticized the deal and responded by sanctioning several US defense companies.
China issues a warning as tensions arise with Taiwan
In a statement posted on Weibo, China’s Eastern Theater Command, which oversees operations in the Taiwan Strait, described the drills as a “shield of justice”. The post added: “All those plotting independence will be annihilated upon encountering the shield!”. While China continues to call for the “peaceful reunification” of Taiwan, it also maintains legislation that allows for “non-peaceful means” to stop what it describes as secession.
Taiwan’s presidential office criticized the upcoming drills. They called them a challenge to international norms. Meanwhile, the island’s defense ministry said it had detected Chinese aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan on Monday morning. As a result, Taiwanese forces have been deployed, missile systems activated, and security levels raised. The ministry said its forces remain on “high alert” to defend Taiwan and “protect our people”.
Taipei Reacts to China-Taiwan Military Drills with High Alert
China has repeatedly accused Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, of pursuing independence, a claim he rejects. Lai argues that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation and therefore does not need to formally declare independence. Speaking in a television interview on Sunday, he said Taiwan must “keep raising the difficulty so [China] can never meet the standard” for an invasion. However, he also insisted his administration remains committed to “maintaining the status quo” and would not provoke China, while stressing that peace depends on “real strength”.
Public opinion polls consistently show most Taiwanese favor preserving the current situation rather than unification with China or a formal declaration of independence. Since 2022, Beijing has intensified military activity near Taiwan. They often respond to events that seem provocative, including high-level US visits and Lai’s inauguration in 2024.
This week’s drills are the first under Yang Zhibin, who became head of the Eastern Theater Command in October. They also follow April’s live-fire exercises that simulated strikes on ports and energy facilities. In response, Taiwan continues to expand its own military preparedness, including its largest-ever Han Kuang exercises and plans for a dome-like air defense system to counter what Lai has described as “hostile threats”.
Web Resources on the China’s drills around Taiwan
1. Reuters.com: China launches war games around Taiwan as island vows to defend democracy
2. ABCNews.com: Chinese military plans drills around Taiwan to warn against ‘external interference’
3. Bloomberg.com: China to Hold Military Drills Around Taiwan After US Arms Deal
4. AcademicBlock.com: China-Taiwan Conflict