China's Extensive Military Exercises Surround Taiwan Spark Tension

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Hong Kong – 29 December 2025: China has mobilized air, naval, and rocket units for substantial joint exercises in the waters surrounding Taiwan, which Beijing has labeled a “stern warning” aimed at separatist movements and external interference.

In response, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry announced that its military is on high alert, engaging in rapid response training and ensuring combat readiness. Officials have decried China’s actions as aggressive and destabilizing, asserting that Beijing is the “largest destroyer of peace.”

These military actions come in the wake of heightened tensions related to recent U.S. arms deals with Taiwan and comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding military cooperation if China threatens the island. Nevertheless, China's military communiqué did not specify any references to the U.S. or Japan.

According to Senior Colonel Shi Yi of China’s Eastern Theater Command, the drills span the Taiwan Strait and regions to the island's north, southwest, southeast, and east. The focus will be on sea-air combat capabilities, joint operational superiority, blockading critical ports, and executing precision strikes on mobile ground targets.

“This operation is a legitimate and necessary response to defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” noted Shi.

The exercises, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, include live ammunition drills integrated with the deployment of fighters, bombers, UAVs, and long-range missile systems. Additionally, thematic digital posters have been circulated by the command, branding the exercises as the “Shield of Justice, Smashing Illusion.”

In a retaliatory measure, Beijing has enacted sanctions against 20 U.S. defense firms and 10 executives following the announcement by Washington of over $10 billion in proposed arms sales to Taiwan—potentially the largest deal in history, still pending Congressional approval.

Karen Kuo, spokesperson for the Taiwanese president, condemned China’s military shows of force as breaches of international standards that jeopardize regional security. In response to escalating military pressures from China, Taiwan is fast-tracking the development of its “Taiwan Shield” air defense system.

Amidst these tensions, calls for peace become increasingly pronounced, with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an emphasizing that the Taiwan Strait should be a symbol of stability and prosperity rather than a flashpoint for conflict.