China has launched a new round of large-scale military drills around Taiwan, heightening tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” the exercises saw the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) mobilise naval, air, rocket, and ground forces in a show of force that Beijing calls a “stern warning” to Taiwan independence forces and their foreign supporters . These China–Taiwan military drills 2025 come on the heels of the largest-ever U.S. arms package to Taiwan and sharpen an already fraught security situation in East Asia. Taipei has condemned the drills as provocative, vowing to defend its democracy and freedom even as it scrambles jets and holds its own combat readiness exercises in response . The following report breaks down the context, latest developments, and global reactions to this flare-up in cross-strait tensions.
Background: Long-Running Dispute and Past Drills
The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949, when China’s civil war drove the ousted Republic of China government to flee to Taiwan . Ever since, Beijing’s Communist leadership has viewed the self-governed island as a renegade province, vowing to bring it under PRC rule – by force if necessary – even though Taiwan has never been controlled by the People’s Republic. Taipei firmly rejects China’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only Taiwan’s 23 million people can decide their future . No major armed clash has erupted in decades, but the threat of invasion looms in Chinese rhetoric and military planning. President Xi Jinping has exhorted Taiwan to accept “peaceful reunification,” yet also directed the PLA to modernize by 2027 – a timeline U.S. intelligence believes is aimed at achieving capability to invade the island . This unresolved sovereignty issue underpins the current Taiwan Strait tensions.
In recent years, Beijing has dramatically increased military pressure on Taiwan, frequently sending fighter jets into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and conducting People’s Liberation Army exercises near the island. Notably, in August 2022, after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei, China launched unprecedented live-fire drills encircling Taiwan for several days . Those 2022 war games effectively rehearsed a blockade and missile strikes, marking a sharp escalation in China’s coercive signaling. The pattern continued through 2023 and 2024 with a series of large-scale exercises. Chinese state media designated two rounds of drills last year as Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B, simulating assaults on Taiwan and rehearsing “island encirclement” operations . In April 2025, the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command carried out another major exercise code-named “Strait Thunder–2025A”, involving live-fire missile launches and an aircraft carrier group, again encircling Taiwan on multiple fronts . Analysts noted that exercise featured explicit anti-access/area denial training – practicing to keep U.S. and allied forces at bay . Each drill has been accompanied by bellicose warnings from Beijing and condemnation from Taipei. This history of saber-rattling set the stage for the latest Chinese show of force in late 2025.
Latest “Justice Mission 2025” Drills and Taiwan’s Response
On 29 December 2025, China’s PLA Eastern Theater Command sprang a surprise multi-domain exercise around Taiwan, less than an hour after announcing it . Codenamed “Justice Mission 2025,” the operation is the most extensive of this year’s drills by geographic scope . Chinese destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bomber aircraft, drones, rocket artillery and even coast guard units were deployed in areas to Taiwan’s north, south, east, and west in a coordinated encirclement maneuver . Col. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, said the joint exercises would focus on “sea-air combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of superiority, blockade of key ports, and all-dimensional deterrence beyond the island chain” . In plainer terms, China openly simulated cutting off Taiwan’s access and repelling any outside intervention. PLA vessels and warplanes pressed in from multiple directions “in close proximity” to Taiwan’s airspace and waters . Live-fire drills were conducted against maritime targets and coastal objectives, effectively simulating a blockade of Taiwan’s main ports like Kaohsiung in the south and Keelung in the north .
Beijing framed the exercise as a “stern warning” to Taipei and its partners. “It is a stern warning against ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces, and a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Col. Shi proclaimed of the drills . A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman added that “external parties” using Taiwan to contain China were pushing the region toward “imminent war,” vowing that any “sinister schemes to obstruct China’s reunification are doomed to fail” . Notably, this is the first time China’s military has so bluntly linked exercises to deterring foreign militaries: the PLA even released propaganda posters warning that outside interference in Taiwan would be met with force . Chinese state media (Xinhua) defended the drills as “legitimate and necessary”, while the defense ministry in Beijing warned unnamed countries (widely read as the United States and Japan) to “abandon the illusion of using Taiwan to contain China” .
Taiwan reacted with defiance and vigilance. Within hours of China’s announcement, Taiwan’s defense ministry activated its joint emergency operations center and raised the combat alert level of its forces . The ministry deployed fighter jets, naval vessels, and missile defenses to track the PLA movements, while also commencing its own “rapid response” drills to practice fending off a sudden attack . By Monday afternoon, Taipei’s military had detected at least 89 Chinese military aircraft (the most in a single day in over a year) and 28 ships operating around the island . Some Chinese warships even ventured within Taiwan’s contiguous zone (24 nautical miles from its coast) before withdrawing . Taiwan’s Transportation Ministry reported that Beijing had declared danger zones in international airspace that would force the rerouting of civilian flights. More than 100,000 air travelers were projected to be affected, as authorities prepared to divert or cancel over 850 flights during the live-fire period . Shipping lanes were also under close watch, though port authorities said they would instruct vessels to avoid Chinese drill areas to prevent incidents .
Top Taiwanese leaders sharply condemned China’s actions. President William Lai Ching-te accused Beijing of destabilizing the Indo-Pacific and misjudging Taiwan’s resolve . “Defending democracy and freedom is no provocation, and the existence of the Republic of China is not an excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense declared in a statement, reaffirming that the island will not yield to intimidation . The presidential office spokesperson, Karen Kuo, blasted the drills as “irresponsible and provocative,” urging Beijing to cease its military intimidation of neighboring countries . In a symbolic response, Taiwan’s Army even publicized footage of its U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems and other advanced weaponry deployed during its counter-drills – a message that Taiwan is prepared to strike back if attacked . All units remain on high alert, officials said, and Taiwan’s Coast Guard has dispatched ships to help monitor PLA movements near its waters . While life in Taiwan proceeded normally overall, many residents voiced fatigue at Beijing’s saber-rattling. “The drills are just meant to scare us,” one Taipei resident told Al Jazeera, adding that most Taiwanese simply “live our lives” even under constant threat .
Additional Developments and Global Reactions
U.S. Arms Sales & China’s Backlash: The timing of China’s latest drills is no coincidence. Less than two weeks before Justice Mission 2025 kicked off, Washington approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan – the largest U.S. arms sales to Taiwan ever . The deal, announced on Dec. 18, 2025, includes advanced HIMARS rocket artillery, anti-tank missiles, drones and other high-tech systems intended to boost Taiwan’s “asymmetric” defense strategy . Taipei welcomed the weapons as vital for its survival, but Beijing erupted in anger at the announcement. China’s Foreign Ministry slammed the arms transfer as a move that “severely undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” accusing Washington of “bringing fire upon itself” by arming Taipei . Just days before the drills, China’s Defense Ministry even imposed sanctions on 20 American defense companies and 10 executives involved in Taiwan arms sales . It also vowed to “take forceful measures” if U.S. weapons deliveries continue . Chinese officials argue that the growing military cooperation between Washington and Taipei – including this record arms deal – is emboldening pro-independence “splittists” and crossing Beijing’s red lines . The “stern warning” aspect of the current drills is widely seen as retaliation for the U.S. arms package, sending a message that China can respond with military pressure. On the U.S. side, officials have reiterated that assisting Taiwan’s self-defense is a matter of national interest and legal obligation (under the Taiwan Relations Act). A U.S. State Department spokesperson criticized China’s aggressive drills, stating that coercive military activity around Taiwan “only serves to exacerbate tensions and put the region’s security and the world’s prosperity at risk” . Washington has called on Beijing to show restraint, emphasizing that it opposes any unilateral attempt to change Taiwan’s status by force.
Regional Security Impact: Taipei and its nearby allies have been coordinating closely amid the flare-up. Japan, in particular, was implicitly targeted by aspects of China’s exercise. Not only did Chinese officials cite Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks as a provocation – Takaichi had warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could likely draw a Japanese military response – but Beijing also carved out some of its drill zones uncomfortably close to Japanese territory . In fact, Chinese rockets during the drills prompted temporary airspace and sea lane closures to the north of Taiwan, effectively cutting off some routes between Taiwan and Japan . Tokyo lodged concerns through diplomatic channels, and Japanese Self-Defense Forces monitored the PLA movements, given that parts of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture lie just east of Taiwan. Japan’s government expressed “serious concern” that China’s actions could escalate into a wider regional crisis, and reaffirmed that stability in the Taiwan Strait is critical for Japan’s own security . The European Union also weighed in, with an EU spokesperson stressing that the EU has a “direct interest” in preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and “opposes any unilateral actions” that threaten to change it by force . These statements reflect growing international wariness whenever Beijing flexes its military muscle near Taiwan.
Wider Indo-Pacific reaction has been cautious. Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN), which have generally avoided taking sides on Taiwan, quietly worry that a miscalculation could disrupt regional trade and security. For instance, the Philippines and Singapore have informally urged all parties to de-escalate, mindful that a conflict over Taiwan could drag the whole region into turmoil. While not issuing formal statements on this drill, many neighbors have underscored the importance of open channels of communication between the U.S. and China to prevent accidents. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s other partners like Australia and South Korea have been observing closely. Australia’s defense minister noted that these PLA drills underline the need for strong deterrence and alliances in the Indo-Pacific, without directly inserting Canberra into the fray. NATO and others have similarly flagged that continued Chinese military coercion of Taiwan could have global ramifications for democracy and international norms.
On the domestic front in Taiwan, the ongoing military pressure from China has only steeled the public’s resolve. Recent polls in Taiwan show a clear majority supporting enhanced defense investments and rejecting Beijing’s calls for “one country, two systems” unification. In fact, President Lai’s administration just proposed an extra $40 billion defense budget spread over the next decade to accelerate indigenous missile, drone, and naval programs . Taiwan’s leadership argues that peace can only be maintained by “strengthening deterrence”, not by giving in . This stance is buoyed by strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for Taiwan’s security, as evidenced by the arms sales and occasional visits by U.S. lawmakers to Taipei. However, China’s escalating drills also send a sobering reminder: Beijing is honing its ability to make good on threats, whether through an outright invasion or a coercive quarantine of the island.
Conclusion
The latest Chinese military drills around Taiwan underscore what’s at stake in this flashpoint: the future of a vibrant democracy and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing’s “Justice Mission 2025” exercises were not merely posturing; they demonstrated improved PLA capabilities for blockading ports, striking targets, and deterring U.S. or Japanese intervention . Each round of drills since 2022 has inched closer to a realistic rehearsal of war, even as China stops short of crossing the line into actual conflict. For Taiwan, these simulated attacks are a pressing reminder to stay prepared and to shore up international support. For the United States and its allies, China’s moves send a clear signal of resolve that cannot be ignored. The Taiwan Strait sits at the heart of a broader strategic contest – one that involves questions of U.S. credibility, the security of global trade routes, and the principle of democratic self-determination.
Moving forward, several indicators bear close watching. First, the frequency and scale of PLA drills will signal how aggressive Beijing’s posture becomes heading into 2026 and beyond. Any exercise that effectively blockades Taiwan or fires missiles over the island (as China did in 2022) will raise the risk of confrontation. Second, Taiwan’s response – including its own military readiness and any moves toward formal independence – will influence Beijing’s calculations. Thus far, President Lai is hewing to a careful line: bolstering defenses and international ties without formally declaring independence (which Beijing has said would trigger war). Third, the U.S.–China dynamic remains crucial. High-level communications between Washington and Beijing could help prevent accidents during future drills, but political will is needed on both sides to maintain dialogue. U.S. Navy freedom-of-navigation operations and arms deliveries to Taiwan will likely continue; how China reacts to those will be telling. Finally, the wider Indo-Pacific security environment will evolve as Japan, Australia, and others coordinate on deterrence. Japan’s more assertive stance on Taiwan’s defense, in particular, is a new factor that Beijing must account for .
In summary, China’s latest war games have raised the temperature in an already simmering dispute. While a full-scale invasion of Taiwan is not expected imminently, the risk of miscalculation or unintended escalation is ever-present when military forces operate in close proximity. Taiwan Strait tensions thus remain a central flashpoint for Asia and the world. The coming months will test whether cooler heads can prevail to tamp down tensions – or whether this cycle of action and reaction will further intensify. For now, Taiwan and its partners will be on high alert, and the international community will be watching carefully for China’s next moves in its campaign of “reunification” by pressure. Ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait will require deft diplomacy, robust deterrence, and a shared commitment to preventing conflict in one of the world’s most critical geopolitical corridors.
Sources:
- BBC News – “China launches large-scale military exercise around Taiwan” (BBC, Dec 29, 2025)
- Reuters – “US announces $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever” (Ben Blanchard & Michael Martina, Reuters, Dec 18, 2025)
- Reuters – “China stages record drills designed to encircle Taiwan” (Joe Cash et al., Reuters, Dec 29, 2025)
- Al Jazeera – “China launches drills around Taiwan in ‘stern warning’ to external forces” (Ted Regencia & Erin Hale, Al Jazeera, Dec 29, 2025)
- Sky News – “Chinese aircraft and navy conduct drills around Taiwan in warning against ‘external interference’” (Sky News, Dec 29, 2025)
- The Guardian – “China launches live-fire drills around Taiwan simulating blockade of major ports” (Helen Davidson, The Guardian, Dec 29, 2025)
- Xinhua News – “PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan” (Xinhua, Dec 29, 2025)
- Taiwan News – “China launches large-scale military exercise around Taiwan” (Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Dec 29, 2025)
- Taiwan News – “Taiwan holds combat drills in response to large-scale Chinese military exercise” (Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Dec 29, 2025)
- AP News – “China stages drills around Taiwan to warn ‘external forces’ after US, Japan tensions” (AP News, Dec 29, 2025) (as republished via Defense News/Yahoo).