• China has commenced military drills around Taiwan, involving army, navy, air force, and rocket forces.
• The exercises are aimed at demonstrating combat readiness and serve as a warning against Taiwanese independence.
• The drills follow an $11.1 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan and heightened tensions with Japan.
• The exercises include live-fire drills in five designated zones around the island.
• Taiwan is on high alert and has deployed its own forces in response to China's provocations.

China has initiated significant military exercises around Taiwan, deploying its army, navy, air force, and rocket forces to conduct live-fire drills. These drills, designated "Justice Mission 2025," are intended to test combat readiness and issue a “stern warning” against what it characterizes as "separatist forces" and external interference, particularly amid tensions exacerbated by a recent $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan by the United States. This series of exercises includes live-fire drills scheduled for December 30, 2025, in five designated zones around Taiwan, amplifying military tensions in the region, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.

The Taiwanese military has detected increased activity in the region, with reports of multiple Chinese aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry stated it is monitoring the situation closely and has deployed appropriate forces as a precautionary measure. The exercises are seen as a direct response to heightening military collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan, specifically following Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments which suggested Japan could respond militarily should China attack Taiwan. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, confirmed that the drills are designed to simulate blockades and operations aimed at seizing control over key areas, according to India Times and BBC.

Additionally, the military drills have prompted Taiwan to bolster its defense mechanisms, as officials have indicated that military intimidation from China poses a significant threat to regional stability. The Chinese drills have been described by Taiwanese officials as a major challenge to international norms and an aggressive tactic to sway the international community's stance towards Taiwan. As tensions rise, Taiwan is focused on preserving its sovereignty and reinforcing its military capabilities, particularly in response to China's growing assertiveness in the region, according to Le Monde and BBC.

This latest series of exercises represents China’s ongoing strategy of displaying military strength in the face of perceived threats from external nations and Taiwanese independence movements. The Chinese military has explicitly framed the drills as necessary to protect its sovereignty, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in Asia, particularly with recent historical tensions involving Japan. The planned operations will occur amidst China's long-standing goal of asserting control over Taiwan, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.