China Taiwan Tensions Rise as Beijing Launches “Justice Mission 2025” Live-Fire Exercise
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China began a series of high-intensity, live-fire military exercises surrounding Taiwan on Monday, December 29, 2025.
This latest show of force, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” marks a significant escalation in regional maneuvers and serves as a direct message to both Taipei and its international allies.
According to reports from Reuters, Senior Col. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command characterised the drills as a “stern warning.”
The operations are designed to test the military’s ability to seize “comprehensive superiority” and enforce a total blockade of the island’s key ports.
Strategic Encirclement and Live-Fire Zones
The China Taiwan dynamic has reached a fever pitch as the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command released maps showing five designated zones where live-fire activities will occur. These areas, located to the north, southwest, southeast, and east of the island, create a simulated “no-go” perimeter.
Military assets involved include destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, and long-range rocket systems.
On Tuesday, December 30, the exercises will transition into a more intensive live-fire phase between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time. During this period, the PLA intends to practice precision strikes on mobile ground targets and maritime blockades.
The operation is the first major exercise targeting the island since “Strait Thunder–2025A” in April. However, the current China Taiwan standoff is unique due to its timing and the specific hardware deployed, particularly the coordination between the PLA Navy and the Rocket Force.
Arms Sales and Foreign Rhetoric
The timing of these drills is not coincidental. Just last week, Beijing imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense firms after Washington approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taipei. As reported by The Guardian, this package is one of the largest ever authorized by the United States, further cementing its role as Taiwan’s primary security guarantor.
Furthermore, remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have sparked fury in Beijing. Takaichi suggested that Japanese Self-Defense Forces could become involved if a military crisis erupted in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing views such statements as “external interference” in what it considers a domestic sovereign issue.
“It is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” Col. Shi Yi stated in a release on WeChat. The message underscores Beijing’s long-standing position that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must eventually be unified with the mainland.
Taipei’s Defensive Alert
In response to the sudden maneuvers, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) has condemned the PLA’s actions as “irrational provocations.” The ministry reported that dozens of Chinese aircraft and naval vessels have already crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to The Japan Times.
“Defending democracy and freedom is no provocation, and the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan] is not an excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo,” the MND said in an official statement.
Taipei has activated its emergency response centers and instructed units to follow decentralized operational guidance. This means local commanders have the authority to act without waiting for central orders if communications are severed during a blockade.
The Taiwan Coast Guard has also dispatched large vessels to monitor Chinese coast guard ships, which Beijing says are conducting “law enforcement inspections” around the island.
Global Economic and Security Implications
The China Taiwan situation continues to be a focal point for global markets. The Taiwan Strait is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and a critical artery for the semiconductor industry.
While markets in Taipei initially remained stable, analysts warn that an extended blockade or an accidental kinetic incident could disrupt global supply chains.
Regional neighbors, including the Philippines and Australia, are monitoring the drills closely. The PLA’s focus on “deterrence outside the island chain” indicates a strategic goal to prevent third-party intervention, a direct nod to the U.S. naval presence in the Indo-Pacific.
As of Monday morning, the PLA has not specified the total duration of the China Taiwan drills, leaving the region in a state of high alert.
