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Taiwan's president vows firm defense amid China's aggressive drills
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te pledged on Thursday to bolster the island's defense capabilities in response to China's most intrusive military exercises to date encircling Taiwan, as tensions in the strait escalate sharply into 2026.
Delivering his New Year's address from the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai reaffirmed his commitment to resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, enhancing national defense, and building societal resilience. He stressed that the international community is watching to see if Taiwan possesses the resolve to protect itself.
The statement came just days after China wrapped up large-scale drills codenamed "Mission Justice 2025" on December 29 and 30. The People's Liberation Army deployed at least 71 aircraft, 24 navy and coast guard vessels, and fired 27 rockets into surrounding waters. For the first time since 2022, Chinese live-fire exercises penetrated Taiwan's territorial waters.
Beijing framed the maneuvers as a stern warning against Taiwanese independence forces and foreign interference. They followed by 11 days the United States' approval of an unprecedented $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, featuring HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and drones to advance Taiwan's shift toward asymmetric warfare capabilities.
In his own New Year's speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that reunification of the motherland represents an unstoppable historical trend, reiterating Beijing's longstanding stance on Taiwan. China's Eastern Theater Command announced the drills concluded successfully, showcasing abilities in blockading key ports and executing precision strikes.
The exercises drew widespread international backlash. Japan voiced concerns to Beijing, noting they heighten tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Australia labeled them destabilizing, while the Philippines expressed deep worry over actions undermining regional peace and stability. The European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and New Zealand also voiced alarm.
At home, Taiwan faces political hurdles. Opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party blocked President Lai's special NT$1.25 trillion ($40 billion) eight-year defense budget for the fifth time, demanding he address the legislature directly to provide more details. Taiwan's Presidential Office condemned China's actions as destabilizing and a blatant challenge to international law, while the National Defense Ministry activated a response center and dispatched forces to monitor Chinese activities.
