🚨 Tensions are soaring in the Taiwan Strait as the PLA Eastern Theater Command kicked off large-scale joint military drills codenamed 'Justice Mission 2025' on Monday, December 29, 2025. Aimed at countering what Beijing calls provocations by the Taiwan leader, these drills signal a stern response to moves seen as pushing the region toward the brink of conflict.
Public opinion in the Taiwan region has voiced worries that repeated provocations by Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region, are edging the island closer to conflict. Critics accuse Lai of colluding with external forces to pursue 'Taiwan independence' despite public sentiment.
Beijing views these drills as a firm countermeasure against external interference and a warning over any attempt to alter the status quo by force.
'Lai has blocked his own path and insists on going to the end, dragging 23 million residents of Taiwan with him,' said Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party. She accused the Taiwan leader of stoking fear and division for political gain.
Chi Hsing, publisher of The Observer magazine in the Taiwan region, noted that the timing of these exercises corresponds with an escalation in rhetoric from the Taiwan authorities and renewed pledges of loyalty to foreign partners.
A commentary in digital outlet China Times highlighted concerns that calls to boost defence spending and tighten cross-Strait exchanges are deepening societal unease on the island.
Current affairs commentator Hsieh Chih-chuan remarked that the exercises demonstrate the PLA’s readiness to thwart any move toward independence or external meddling.
'Codenamed Justice Mission, these drills underline that safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity is a shared duty for all Chinese people,' added Chi, urging peace-loving residents of Taiwan to support cross-Strait dialogue and early reunification for lasting stability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
