Overview
- The U.S. State Department said China’s recent military activities near Taiwan unnecessarily raise tensions and urged Beijing to halt military pressure and pursue dialogue.
- China’s Eastern Theater Command declared the two‑day “Mission Justice 2025” drills complete, describing live‑fire operations that simulated a blockade using missiles, combat aircraft, navy ships and coast guard vessels.
- Taiwan called the maneuvers highly provocative, said the exercises did not impose a blockade, and reported Chinese vessels lingering outside the 24‑nautical‑mile line as Taiwan kept 11 coast guard ships deployed.
- In his year‑end address, Xi Jinping said the trend toward reunification is “unstoppable,” reinforcing Beijing’s sovereignty claims after the exercises.
- Beijing rejected U.K. criticism as interference and framed the issue as an internal matter, with officials linking the tensions to a recent U.S. authorization of more than $11 billion in arms for Taiwan.