China carried out its largest round of military exercises around Taiwan to date on December 30, 2025, conducting extended live-fire drills, naval maneuvers, and simulated blockade operations that drew sharp criticism from the United States, the European Union, and lawmakers in several allied capitals. The exercises, which Beijing named “Justice Mission 2025,” unfolded amid rising tensions over arms sales to Taiwan and public comments by foreign leaders suggesting possible intervention in a future cross-strait conflict.
According to reporting by Reuters, China’s Eastern Theatre Command conducted roughly ten hours of live-fire activity, launching rockets into waters north and south of Taiwan. Chinese naval and air force units also rehearsed strikes on maritime and aerial targets, anti-submarine operations, and coordination between multiple service branches. Taiwan’s defense ministry said the drills included 71 military aircraft and more than two dozen naval and coast guard vessels operating near the island.
Chinese officials said the exercises were designed not only to pressure Taiwan but also to warn what Beijing describes as “external forces.” For the first time, Chinese authorities explicitly framed the drills as a deterrent against possible involvement by the United States or regional allies. The language marked a shift from earlier exercises that focused primarily on Taiwan itself.
Beijing’s actions followed Washington’s announcement earlier this month of an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, the largest single sale approved to date. While U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not alarmed by the drills, members of Congress from both parties described them as an escalation. The European Union issued a statement saying it had a direct interest in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and warned that military pressure could heighten regional risk.
Taiwanese officials said the drills disrupted flight routes and temporarily closed access to offshore islands near China’s coast. While no international flights were canceled, domestic routes were affected, and thousands of passengers experienced delays. Taipei accused Beijing of using repeated exercises to erode public confidence in Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
China’s state media highlighted the deployment of new military hardware, including the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, which analysts say is designed to support large-scale landing operations. Security officials in Taiwan told Reuters that the drills appeared to include simulations of strikes on land-based missile systems, including U.S.-supplied rocket launchers.
The military activity unfolded against the backdrop of a broader strategic contest over Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory and has vowed to bring under its control. Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, rejects Beijing’s claim and relies on support from the United States under longstanding security commitments.
A recent Pentagon assessment cited by Reuters said U.S. planners believe China aims to be capable of prevailing in a Taiwan conflict by 2027, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army. Chinese officials have not confirmed any timeline but have continued to expand drills that simulate blockades of Taiwan’s major ports.
As diplomatic criticism mounts, analysts say the exercises reflect Beijing’s effort to demonstrate military reach while testing international responses. For Taiwan and its partners, the challenge remains how to deter coercion without triggering a wider confrontation in one of the world’s most economically vital corridors.
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