China Launches Military Drills Around Taiwan After US Arms Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. mansour/ Morning Edition/ China staged large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan in a show of force against pro-independence movements and foreign involvement, following a major U.S. arms sale. Taiwan placed its military on high alert and condemned the drills as provocative. More than 100,000 travelers were affected by flight disruptions as China restricted airspace for rocket exercises.
Quick Look: Key Highlights
- China stages live-fire drills around Taiwan involving navy, air force, drones, and rockets
- Drills come after $10B U.S. arms sale to Taiwan and Japan’s defense comments
- PLA says exercises are a “stern warning” to Taiwan separatists and “external forces”
- Taiwan places military on alert; calls China the “biggest destroyer of peace”
- Drills impact 850+ international flights, disrupting travel for 100,000+ passengers
- Exercises to continue through Tuesday, with rocket launches in designated zones
- PLA emphasizes sea-air combat readiness and potential port blockades
- China releases military-themed propaganda posters for domestic and global messaging
- US yet to respond, though tensions over Taiwan remain high
- Beijing imposed sanctions on 20 US defense firms last week in retaliation
- Taiwanese officials warn of regional destabilization and global consequences
China Launches Large-Scale Military Drills Around Taiwan, Warning U.S. and Japan Amid Rising Tensions
Beijing’s Military Posturing: New Features in This Round of Drills
HONG KONG (Dec. 29, 2025) — China’s military staged extensive live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday in what it called a “stern warning” to pro-independence forces in Taiwan and “external interference,” following recent escalations involving the U.S. and Japan. Taiwan responded by placing its armed forces on high alert and condemning Beijing’s actions as threats to regional peace.
The drills — involving the air force, navy, rocket forces, and unmanned aerial vehicles — were deployed in areas surrounding the Taiwan Strait and multiple zones to the island’s north, southwest, southeast, and east, according to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Escalation After U.S. Arms Deal, Japan’s Military Comments
The PLA drills follow multiple points of friction:
- A record-breaking U.S. arms sale to Taiwan valued at $10+ billion
- A statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, suggesting Japan’s military may respond if China acts against Taiwan
Though China’s military did not explicitly mention the U.S. or Japan in its statements, the timing and scale of the operations signal a clear geopolitical message.
“It is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity,” said Col. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command.
This latest round of drills marks a notable shift in intensity and language, with China emphasizing:
- “All-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain” — a phrase not used publicly in prior drills
- Combat readiness patrols and “joint seizure of comprehensive superiority”
- Targeted blockades of key Taiwanese ports
“These drills demonstrate the PLA’s growing ability to project power far beyond its immediate waters,” said regional security analyst Li Ming-cheng.
Travel Chaos: Over 100,000 Affected by Airspace Closures
Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration reported that:
- More than 850 international flights were scheduled during the affected period
- At least 100,000 travelers will be impacted due to flight cancellations and reroutes
- Over 80 domestic flights involving 6,000 passengers have been canceled
China issued aviation warnings, designating seven “temporary dangerous zones” from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, barring flights during scheduled rocket launches.
Taiwan’s Response: Military Readiness and Political Condemnation
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported a surge in Chinese military activity as of 3 p.m. Monday:
- 89 aircraft and drones operating in the Taiwan Strait
- 67 entered the air defense “response zone”
- 14 Chinese navy ships, plus 4 warships in the Western Pacific
- 14 Chinese coast guard vessels also detected in the area
“These exercises confirm the Chinese Communist Party’s role as the region’s greatest threat to peace,” Taiwan’s military said.
President Tsai Ing-wen’s spokesperson, Karen Kuo, condemned the drills as “blatant intimidation” and called them a violation of international norms.
Taiwan released a military video showcasing its Mirage-2000 fighter jets, armored vehicles, and missile systems, underlining its defensive capabilities.
Beijing’s Information Campaign
To accompany the exercises, the PLA released themed propaganda posters titled “Shield of Justice, Smashing Illusion.” One image depicted shields emblazoned with the Great Wall and military hardware, symbolizing resistance to foreign intervention.
This campaign echoes Beijing’s broader messaging push that portrays Taiwan as part of China’s sovereign territory — despite being self-governed since 1949.
U.S.-China Arms Tensions and Sanctions
Just last week, China imposed sanctions on 20 U.S. defense contractors and 10 executives, responding to the proposed arms sales to Taiwan. The deal still requires U.S. Congressional approval.
Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. is legally obligated to assist Taiwan in its self-defense — a point of increasing friction with China.
“Under federal law, Washington is required to support Taiwan’s defense,” noted geopolitical analyst Rachel Yoon. “These drills are Beijing’s loudest objection yet to that longstanding policy.”
Regional Reactions and Global Implications
Japan and other Pacific neighbors are likely monitoring these developments closely, especially given Beijing’s stated intention to “warn external interference forces.”
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, speaking from Shanghai a day earlier, struck a markedly different tone:
“Let the Taiwan Strait be a symbol of peace, not turmoil.”
What’s Next?
With drills continuing Tuesday, and no ceasefire or diplomatic resolution in sight, tensions are expected to remain high going into 2026. Observers are watching for:
- A formal U.S. response
- Escalation or expansion of China’s exercises
- Further international sanctions or countermeasures
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