China conducts largest military drills near Taiwan

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 15:50

By: Dakir Madiha

China conducts largest military drills near Taiwan

China carried out its largest military exercises to date around Taiwan on December 30, launching rockets and deploying warships, bombers, and amphibious assault vessels in maneuvers simulating a blockade of the island. The two-day operation, called “Mission Justice 2025,” involved 130 military aircraft and 22 naval and coast guard ships encircling the autonomous territory, marking Beijing’s sixth major war games cycle since 2022.

Live-fire drills took place in seven designated areas, five overlapping Taiwan’s territorial waters, according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense. The exercises, which began on December 29, focused on simulating blockades of Taiwan’s key ports, Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south. For the first time, China deployed a Type 075 amphibious assault ship capable of launching attack helicopters, landing craft, and armored vehicles simultaneously.

The drills came 11 days after the United States approved a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan on December 18. The deal, the largest U.S. arms sale ever to the island, includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Altius drones. Beijing described the exercises as a “stern warning” against Taiwan independence forces and foreign interference.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said the drills were “incompatible with the conduct expected of a responsible major power” but added that Taiwan would not seek to escalate tensions. The island’s defense ministry confirmed live-fire activities north of Taiwan on Tuesday morning, with debris entering its contiguous zone.

International reactions were mixed. Former U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the drills, calling them routine exercises that have taken place “for 20 years” and saying he was “not concerned.” He added that Chinese President Xi Jinping “did not tell me about it” and suggested he did not expect an invasion. The drills also followed statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicating Japan could respond if China attacked Taiwan. A recent Pentagon report warned China expects to be ready to conduct and win a war over Taiwan by 2027.

Taiwan sits along critical maritime trade routes, with $2.45 trillion in annual trade passing through the Taiwan Strait. The exercises disrupted more than 100,000 international air passengers, though airlines rerouted flights through two northeastern corridors around Taiwan.