China launched live-fire military exercises near Taiwan which simulate major port blockades and focus on maritime targets while defending against foreign interference, according to Chinese claims. The military operations identified as Justice Mission 2025 function to demonstrate Beijing’s resolve against foreign entities. These support Taiwan independence, according to Chinese authorities.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted its sixth major exercise against Taiwan since 2022 by surrounding the island through combined naval forces, air units, rocket systems, and coast guard deployments.
What is the historical context of the China–Taiwan dispute?
The Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, which led to the Nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) retreating to Taiwan while the Communist Party of China (CPC) established control over the mainland. Beijing considers Taiwan a former province. It requires reunification with the mainland through any means necessary, including military action.
Taiwan operates as an independent state without making any official declarations of independence. The Republic of China (ROC) exists as an independent state which operates its own democratic government and military, and maintains its own international relationships.
The main source of the conflict stems from opposing claims about legitimacy, identity, and sovereignty. Taiwan has strengthened its homegrown systems and democratic rule, and global partnerships. But China continues to block Taiwan from joining international organizations.
What role does the United States play in the Taiwan-China conflict?
The Taiwan Relations Act (1979), which requires U.S. defense weapon sales to Taiwan, has allowed the United States to maintain a crucial role in Taiwan’s security. It necessitates continuous defense against threats of coercion. Despite not formally recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state, Washington sees Taiwan’s defense as an essential component of regional stability.
Through ongoing arms sales, cooperative military planning initiatives, and intelligence sharing programs, the US supports Taiwan’s self-defense.
The United States has strengthened its support for Taiwan because China has increased its military operations in the region. The authorization process includes the approval of large-scale arms deals which resulted in the 2025 $11 billion weapons package that delivered advanced missile systems, fighter jets, and defensive technologies to Taiwan. The United States uses these sales to show its support for regional allies while backing up Taiwan’s defense system against potential PLA attacks.
The major acquisition deal announced on December 18, 2025, includes eight separate acquisitions which total $11.1 billion. The deal consists of 82 HIMARS rocket systems with 420 ATACMS missiles worth more than $4 billion, 60 M109 howitzers worth over $4 billion, and loitering munitions/suicide drones with a value exceeding $1 billion.
This package, which focuses on precision strikes and artificial intelligence technologies, has bipartisan support and is in line with Taiwan’s proposed $40 billion special defense budget for 2026–2033. It must be approved by the US Congress. The US announced a $330 million sale of fighter jet accessories and spare parts earlier in November 2025—the first under Trump’s second term.
What are the objectives of Justice Mission 2025 drills?
During the PLA’s Justice Mission 2025 exercises, destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles were strategically deployed. Evaluating various scenarios for blockades, submarine attacks, target elimination, and sea-air operational synchronization were the main goals of the exercises.
Col. Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command, called the drills “legitimate and necessary actions to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity.”
The maneuvers aim to achieve four main goals which include blocking essential ports and territories, controlling dominance, and conducting combined naval and air operations, and expanding deterrence capabilities beyond the first island chain.
How has Taiwan responded to these escalations?
Taiwan’s defense ministry issued a strong statement denouncing the military drills and charging Beijing with causing instability that jeopardizes regional peace. To practice counter-combat readiness, the ministry sent out military personnel.
These emphasized that protecting Taiwan’s survival and democracy does not lead to any aggressive behavior. According to Taiwan’s coast guard, local fishermen face two significant obstacles that affect their capacity to operate and their maritime safety.
Taiwan’s leadership has made efforts to update its military forces and boost combat preparedness because they want to preserve strong defense capabilities until 2027. The island leadership under President Lai Ching-te has set its focus on two main goals, which involve defending against forceful pressure, and developing defensive capabilities for direct confrontations.
Why are relations with other regional players also escalating?
Because of the growing security risks facing Japan, the PLA has begun its military exercises. Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has hinted that if China attacked Taiwan, Tokyo would respond militarily.
Because China’s aggressive actions test Taiwan’s defensive capabilities and force the United States and Japan to respond, the situation exhibits a wider regional dimension.
Propaganda images showing fictitious attacks on “separatist forces” and foreign warships escaping were included in Beijing’s announcement of the drills, serving as both domestic and international messaging.
Experts point out that these drills are a part of a long-term coercion and signaling strategy, sometimes referred to as “salami-slicing” tactics, in which Taiwan and regional allies are gradually put under pressure without escalating into full-scale hostilities. The International Crisis Group’s analysts stress that China probably keeps a close eye on American responses and modifies its military strategy in real time.
The Justice Mission 2025 exercises are primarily motivated by Taiwan’s defense development initiatives and the recent U.S. arms deal.
Beijing argues that Washington’s foreign aid won’t be able to halt PLA operations because it has made it clear that foreign forces must be kept out of the conflict.
How does this escalation impact U.S.-China relations?
The growing China-Taiwan conflict has exacerbated the ongoing diplomatic, economic, and strategic rivalry between China and the United States. Taiwan’s leaders were unable to put the Taiwan issue on their agenda because it showed how difficult it would be for them to resolve the issue diplomatically.
The United States maintains its deterrence policy through arms sales to Taiwan, but these transactions lead to strong opposition from Beijing, which results in ongoing military demonstrations. Diplomatic conflicts.
