China Announces Military Drills Around Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

Mon Dec 29 2025 09:28:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

China is set to conduct significant military exercises around Taiwan, asserting its stance against perceived separatist activities. These drills mark an escalation in military readiness as tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing is preparing to hold military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade and the seizure of vital areas. This comes in the wake of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and heightened military readiness from the island as it faces increasing pressure from China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry has raised its alert level in response to the situation.

China has announced plans for military drills around Taiwan, simulating the seizure and blockade of key areas, stating it serves as a warning against 'separatist forces.'

The comprehensive exercises will involve China's army, navy, air force, and rocket forces, and are scheduled for Tuesday, including live-fire exercises according to the Chinese military.

Named 'Justice Mission 2025', the drills come on the heels of a U.S. decision to provide Taiwan with a major arms package worth $11 billion, which has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, resulting in sanctions against U.S. defense firms.

Tensions have escalated further as Taiwan seeks to bolster its defense, prompting criticism from the Chinese government which insists on its claim over the self-governing island.

Taiwan's presidential office has denounced the upcoming Chinese military exercises, branding them a violation of international norms. In preparation, Taiwan's defense ministry has heightened its alert status, monitoring increased Chinese military activity around the island.

The Chinese military, responsible for the Eastern Theater Command managing missions in the Taiwan Strait, framed the upcoming drills as a 'shield of justice,' stating: 'All those plotting independence will be annihilated upon encountering the shield.'

Despite China's calls for a 'peaceful reunification,' it maintains laws allowing for non-peaceful responses to what it considers secessionist movements. Beijing accuses Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te of advocating for independence, while Lai maintains that Taiwan functions as an independent nation.

On local television, President Lai emphasized the need for Taiwan to strengthen its defenses to deter Chinese invasion, affirming commitment to maintaining the status quo while insisting that peace relies on true strength.

Polls consistently show a majority of Taiwanese prefer sustaining the current state—neither unifying with China nor formally declaring independence.

This week's drills also aim at displaying deterrence beyond Taiwan, amid strained relations between China and Japan regarding proposed military cooperation in the event of a Chinese attack against Taiwan.

The heightened military preparedness on both sides reflects an escalating arms race in the region, with Taiwan conducting its military exercises to prepare for and signal its defense capabilities amidst ongoing tensions.