China Conducts Large-Scale Military Drills Around Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

TAIPEI, 29 December 2025, China has launched extensive military drills surrounding Taiwan, mobilizing units from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) army, navy, air force, and rocket forces in exercises that encircle the self-governing island. The manoeuvres, part of the so called “Justice Mission 2025” drills, were announced by Beijing as a stern warning against separatist forces and foreign interference. (CNN)

Details of the Drills

State media reports indicate that the drills involve simulated air and naval attacks, missile launches, and rapid troop deployments, with PLA forces practicing blockade and amphibious operations around Taiwan’s coastal regions. China claims the exercises are routine “training for defensive preparedness,” but analysts say the scale and proximity to Taiwan’s territorial waters mark a significant escalation.

Taiwanese authorities have condemned the drills as provocative and have placed the island’s military on heightened alert, mobilizing air and naval assets to monitor PLA movements. President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that Taiwan will “fully defend its sovereignty and security” against any threats, while urging the international community to support stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Regional Context

The drills come amid heightened regional tensions, following recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and ongoing diplomatic engagement between Taipei and Washington. China has repeatedly denounced these actions, framing them as interference in domestic affairs. Military analysts warn that the PLA’s increasing operational reach and modernized capabilities make the Taiwan Strait a potential flashpoint for miscalculation.

This marks one of the largest PLA exercises around Taiwan in 2025, reflecting Beijing’s determination to project military strength while signaling its opposition to Taiwanese independence movements and foreign involvement in cross-strait relations.

Global Implications

The drills have prompted responses from regional powers, including Japan and the United States, which continue to monitor PLA activities closely. Washington has reiterated its commitment to Taiwan’s security under the Taiwan Relations Act, calling on China to avoid destabilizing actions that could escalate into conflict.

Observers suggest the exercises are as much a domestic political signal for Beijing as they are a warning to Taiwan and external actors, demonstrating President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on military readiness and territorial integrity ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party next year.

Aaron Joyce

Newswire, L.T.T Media

Newsdesk

29 December 2025

Image Credit - Anadolu Ajansi