A Coordinated Assault from All Directions
The Eastern Theatre Command announced that “Justice Mission 2025” involves live-fire exercises across five strategic zones surrounding the island. The drills focus on:
- Sea-Air Combat Readiness: Coordinated patrols using fighter jets, H-6 bombers, and UAVs.
- Port Blockades: Simulating the sealing of Taiwan’s vital deep-water ports, specifically Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south.
- Precision Strikes: Testing the military’s ability to strike mobile land-based targets and gain “comprehensive superiority” in the Taiwan Strait.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theatre Command, described the operation as a “stern warning” against independence forces and “external interference.”
The Catalysts: U.S. Arms and Japanese Rhetoric
This latest escalation follows two major diplomatic and military shifts:
- Record U.S. Arms Deal: On December 17, 2025, the Trump administration approved a landmark $11.1 billion weapons package for Taiwan. The deal includes 82 HIMARS rocket systems, 420 ATACMS missiles, and hundreds of drones—the largest single sale in history.
- Japan’s Warning: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently suggested that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan could be deemed a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying a military response from Tokyo.
Taiwan’s Defiant Stand
The Taiwanese government has condemned the drills as “irresponsible provocations.” In response, the island’s defense ministry has:
- Mobilized “Rapid Response” Units: Rehearsing troop movements to repel a sudden transition from a drill to an actual assault.
- High Alert: Dispatched coast guard vessels and aircraft to monitor Chinese ships “deliberately closing in” on Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone.
Despite the military pressure, the mood in Taipei remains resilient. Taiwan’s stock market hit a record high on Monday morning, up 0.6%, as citizens expressed a mix of vigilance and weariness toward Beijing’s “scare tactics.”
China’s “Justice Mission 2025” vs. Taiwan’s Defense
| Feature | China’s Deployment | Taiwan’s Response |
| Air Power | Fighter jets, H-6 bombers, UAVs | Combat air patrols & missile tracking |
| Naval Units | Destroyers, Frigates, Coast Guard | Large ships dispatched to maritime routes |
| Focus Area | 5 Zones (Keelung to Pingtung) | 24-nm Contiguous Zone Protection |
| Duration | 10-hour live-fire blocks | Continuous high-alert status |