Japan says Chinese military drills near Taiwan are escalating tensions

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 08:00

By: Sahili Aya

Japan says Chinese military drills near Taiwan are escalating tensions

Japan has expressed concern over recent Chinese military exercises conducted near Taiwan, warning that the drills are contributing to rising tensions in the region.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the large-scale maneuvers, which included live-fire drills and simulated maritime blockades, risk destabilizing the Taiwan Strait. Tokyo reiterated its long-standing position that cross-strait issues should be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

Japanese officials emphasized that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are not only a regional matter but a concern for the broader international community. They also confirmed that Japan has formally conveyed its concerns to Beijing and will continue to closely monitor developments.

The exercises, carried out earlier this week, involved the deployment of multiple warships, combat aircraft and missile launches around Taiwan. China considers the island part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert its claims.

Relations between China and Japan have been strained in recent months. Tensions intensified after Japan’s new prime minister suggested that Tokyo could consider military involvement in the event of an attack on Taiwan, a statement that drew strong criticism from Beijing and fueled a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.