Overview
- The PLA said the "Justice Mission 2025" exercises had successfully concluded, with Chinese vessels departing and operations wrapped up.
- Drills featured rocket firings and simulated blockades of key ports, with Taiwan tracking more than 200 Chinese aircraft and 27 rockets over two days.
- Beijing presented the maneuvers as a response to a newly announced U.S. arms package for Taiwan valued at about $11 billion.
- In his New Year address, Xi Jinping reaffirmed Beijing’s claim over Taiwan and called reunification unavoidable, as China’s Foreign Ministry rejected foreign criticism.
- Japan and Australia condemned the exercises, the EU along with Germany and France voiced concern, and President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and build broader deterrence.