Overview
- The PLA Eastern Theater Command declared the "Mission justice 2025" drills successfully completed after three days of operations around Taiwan.
- The exercises included live-fire missile launches and simulated port blockades and maritime strike scenarios involving dozens of aircraft, warships and coastguard vessels.
- Taiwan maintained heightened readiness, with its coastguard reporting some Chinese ships lingering outside the 24‑nautical‑mile line and keeping 11 patrol vessels at sea.
- Xi Jinping said reunification "cannot be prevented," while President Lai Ching‑te pledged to strengthen Taiwan's defenses and build effective deterrence in his New Year address.
- Japan, Australia, the European Union and the Philippines voiced concern, as recent tensions were intensified by a mid‑December U.S. arms sale to Taipei valued at about $11.1 billion.