China has initiated significant joint military exercises in the seas and skies surrounding Taiwan, a move it describes as a direct warning against what it calls "external interference" and separatist activities on the self-ruled island.
Scale and Scope of the Military Manoeuvres
The drills, which took place on Monday 29 December 2025, involved a substantial deployment of Chinese military assets. According to Taiwan's defence ministry, 89 Chinese military aircraft and drones were detected in the vicinity, with 67 of them entering Taiwan's designated air defence identification zone. The exercises featured personnel from the air force, navy, and rocket forces, conducting operations in multiple areas around Taiwan.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for China's Eastern Theatre Command, stated the activities were focused on sea-air combat readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, and blockades on key ports. Notably, this was the first large-scale drill where the command publicly announced a goal of achieving "all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain."
Catalysts for the Escalation
The provocative military action follows a period of heightened diplomatic friction. Beijing expressed considerable anger over recent US weapons sales to Taiwan and a statement from Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. Prime Minister Takaichi had indicated that Japan's military could potentially become involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, a remark that drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing.
Colonel Shi framed the exercises as a "stern warning" and a "legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity." In response, Taiwan's government activated its defence protocols. The island's defence ministry confirmed that rapid response exercises were underway and forces were on high alert to defend its territory.
Regional Reactions and Ongoing Tensions
Taiwan's government condemned the drills, accusing the Chinese Communist Party of being "an aggressor and the biggest destroyer of peace." The ministry also asserted that the designated Chinese exercise areas encroached upon Taiwan's territorial waters. As a safety precaution, Taiwan's transport ministry announced it would divert international flights from what it deemed dangerous zones or issue alternative flight routes.
The situation underscores the persistent and volatile standoff in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has functioned with its own government since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, but Beijing consistently maintains its claim over the island as an inalienable part of its territory. These latest drills represent a significant escalation in military posturing, directly linked to international statements on Taiwan's security.
