On December 30, 2025, China conducted a significant military exercise near Taiwan, firing 27 rockets into its waters in the second day of what Beijing has dubbed “Justice Mission 2025.” This operation, conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is part of a growing series of military actions aimed at intimidating Taiwan and asserting Beijing’s territorial claims. The rockets landed in both northern and southern waters of Taiwan, marking an escalation in the tension between the two nations.
Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed the Chinese military activity, which included sorties by Chinese aircraft and naval vessels, highlighting the increasing proximity of Chinese forces to the island. This development comes amid heightened concerns about Taiwan’s security, as the island faces growing pressure from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.
The Strained Cross-Strait Relations
The tension between Taiwan and China has been simmering for decades, with the relationship dating back to the Chinese Civil War, which ended in 1949. Since that time, Taiwan has been self-governed, but China has never renounced its claim over the island. The U.S. has historically supported Taiwan, both diplomatically and militarily, though it officially adheres to a “One China” policy, recognizing the government in Beijing as the legitimate government of China.
In recent years, Taiwan’s increasing engagement with the international community and its growing military partnership with the U.S. have infuriated China. Beijing has taken increasingly aggressive actions, including military drills, missile tests, and cyberattacks, to demonstrate its opposition to Taiwan’s sovereignty and any moves toward formal independence.
The Chinese government’s stance is clear: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. As Taiwan strengthens its defenses and its relations with the U.S. and other Western allies, Beijing continues to assert its power, with a growing focus on military pressure.
China’s Military Exercises: An Assertive Show of Force
China’s live-fire drills on December 30 were part of a larger military exercise aimed at encircling Taiwan. The rockets fired from China’s Fujian province were aimed at waters north and south of Taiwan, an area crucial for global shipping. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, ten of the rockets landed within Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone—marking the closest China has ever come to Taiwan during live-fire exercises. The remaining 17 rockets fell outside Taiwan’s contiguous zone, but their proximity to Taiwan was still alarming.
In addition to the missile strikes, Chinese aircraft and naval vessels were detected near Taiwan’s territorial waters, including military sorties that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which traditionally serves as an unofficial demarcation line between the two sides. Taiwan’s military responded by closely monitoring the Chinese activities, tracking 130 sorties by Chinese military aircraft and 14 navy vessels. Taiwan also reported that no Chinese forces entered Taiwan’s territorial waters, but the military was on high alert as the situation unfolded.
These military exercises represent an ongoing effort by Beijing to show that Taiwan’s position in the region is increasingly untenable. China’s message is not just about military preparedness but also about sending a psychological message: Taiwan is surrounded, and the time for reunification may be drawing near.
Cognitive Warfare: The Psychological Impact of China’s Actions
Alongside its physical military drills, China has waged a campaign of cognitive warfare aimed at Taiwan and the international community. Cognitive warfare refers to efforts to influence the thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions of target populations. In this case, China’s goal is to undermine the confidence of the Taiwanese people in their ability to defend themselves.
Chinese state media has propagated claims of successful blockades of Taiwanese ports, an assertion that Taiwan’s officials have vehemently denied. Taiwan’s Coast Guard quickly debunked the reports, with Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin calling the claim “outright disinformation.” These false reports are part of a larger strategy to create fear and confusion, sowing doubts about Taiwan’s defense capabilities while pressuring its government to reconsider its stance on independence and military alliances with foreign powers.
Taiwan’s defense ministry also called out China’s propaganda, emphasizing that the drills were not only military provocations but also attempts to manipulate public opinion both inside Taiwan and internationally. The false claims of a blockade, according to Taiwan’s officials, were designed to make it appear as though China’s military exercises were succeeding, even though no real blockade had occurred.
U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan: A Trigger for China’s Aggression
The timing of China’s military drills is closely tied to the U.S.’s recent arms sale to Taiwan. On December 17, 2025, the Pentagon announced an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, which included a range of defensive systems such as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), self-propelled howitzers, and anti-tank missiles. The Chinese government quickly condemned this sale, accusing the U.S. of undermining China’s sovereignty and fueling tensions in the region.
The military drills can be seen as a direct response to the arms sale, with China seeking to demonstrate its disapproval and reaffirm its control over the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. government has continued to assure Taiwan of its commitment to defending the island and maintaining peace in the region, but China has made it clear that it will not tolerate any efforts to bolster Taiwan’s defenses or push the island closer to independence.
Taiwan’s Response: Defending Its Sovereignty
In response to China’s escalating military activity, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed the island’s commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned China’s provocative actions, calling them a violation of international norms and a challenge to global shipping and trade. Taiwan’s leadership has emphasized that the island does not seek confrontation but will defend its sovereignty against any external threats.
President Lai also called on the international community to hold China accountable for its actions. Taiwan’s foreign ministry issued a statement urging China to cease its “groundless and provocative military activities,” accusing Beijing of “bullying” Taiwan in an attempt to force political changes. The Taiwanese government continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the situation, although its officials have been clear that Taiwan will not be coerced into submission.
International Reactions: U.S. Support for Taiwan and Growing Concern
The U.S. response to China’s actions has been one of strong condemnation. Lawmakers from both political parties have expressed concern over China’s aggressive posturing, with U.S. Senator Todd Young and Representative Greg Stanton calling the drills an unacceptable escalation. These officials reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting Taiwan, with Stanton noting that military exercises aimed at intimidation would not succeed in deterring American resolve or support for Taiwan.
The U.S. has also conducted its own freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait, ensuring that the waterway remains free for international shipping. The U.S. and its allies, including Canada and the U.K., have emphasized the importance of upholding international law in the region, calling for China to de-escalate its military activities.
Rising Tensions and the Future of Taiwan
As China’s military activities around Taiwan continue to escalate, the international community faces a critical moment in the ongoing Taiwan Strait crisis. While the situation remains tense, Taiwan’s resilience and its growing security partnership with the U.S. and other allies offer a strong counterbalance to Beijing’s threats. However, the looming question is whether Beijing will continue to increase its military pressure on Taiwan or whether diplomatic efforts can help avert a full-scale conflict.
The events of the past days, including China’s missile drills, psychological warfare, and military incursions into Taiwan’s airspace and waters, underscore the ongoing volatility of the Taiwan issue. The global community must remain vigilant, supporting Taiwan’s sovereignty and encouraging peaceful dialogue to ensure that the Taiwan Strait remains a region of stability and cooperation, not one of conflict and division.
