US urges restraint as China conducts major military drills near Taiwan

Friday 02 January 2026 - 10:00

By: Sahili Aya

US urges restraint as China conducts major military drills near Taiwan

The United States has urged China to show restraint and prioritize dialogue after Beijing carried out its largest military exercises to date near Taiwan, raising concerns about regional stability and the risk of escalation in the Taiwan Strait.

The drills, known as “Justice Mission 2025,” involved coordinated operations by China’s army, navy, air force, and missile units. According to Chinese authorities, the exercises simulated scenarios such as a maritime blockade, precision strikes, and the disruption of supply routes around the island.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported detecting dozens of Chinese military aircraft and several naval vessels during the exercises. In response, Taiwanese forces scrambled fighter jets and activated defensive measures as part of their security protocols.

Reacting to the developments, a spokesperson for the US State Department stated that China’s military actions increase tensions unnecessarily and called on Beijing to halt pressure on Taiwan. Washington reiterated its position in favor of peace, stability, and the preservation of the status quo, while opposing any unilateral change by force.

Several US allies, including Japan and Australia, also voiced concern over the scale of the drills. Officials warned that intensified military activity in the region could heighten the risk of miscalculation and undermine security in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

China linked the exercises to growing defense cooperation between the United States and Taiwan, including recent arms sales to Taipei. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has repeatedly reaffirmed its objective of reunification.

Taiwan, which has been self-governed for decades, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and insists that its future should be decided by its people. As tensions persist, international actors continue to call for dialogue to prevent further destabilization in the region.