BEIJING INITIATES JUSTICE MISSION 2025 MILITARY EXERCISES AROUND TAIWAN

BEIJING – The People’s Liberation Army (hereinafter: PLA) has initiated large-scale military exercises entitled Justice Mission 2025 in the maritime and aerial zones surrounding the nation of Taiwan. According to a statement released on 29 December 2025 by the PLA, the maneuvers serve as a stern warning against separatist elements and external interference forces. The operations follow the recent approval of an 11$ billion arms sale by the United States of America (hereinafter: USA) to the government in Taipei and escalating diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.

Operational Scope Of Military Exercises

The Eastern Theatre Command dispatched naval, air and rocket forces to conduct coordinated drills in five designated zones to the north, south, east and west of the island. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the command, stated that the activities focus on sea-air combat readiness patrols, the seizure of comprehensive superiority and the establishment of blockades around key ports.

The PLA deployed destroyers, frigates, fighter aircraft and long-range rocket units to simulate precision strikes on mobile ground targets. The military wing of the ruling party in China also utilised unmanned aerial vehicles (hereinafter: UAVs) to test joint operational capabilities in central areas of the Taiwan Strait. State media indicated that the exercises are intended to demonstrate all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain.

Response From The Government In Taipei

The Ministry of National Defence in Taiwan has placed the nation’s military on high alert and initiated rapid response exercises in coordination with its own combat-readiness protocols. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo described the Chinese military actions as "irrational provocations" that undermine regional peace and stability.

The Taiwanese coast guard reported that the scope of the drills poses a significant threat to navigational safety and the rights of fishermen in the region. The Ministry of National Defence confirmed it had detected multiple PLA aircraft and naval vessels operating near the median line of the Taiwan Strait as of 06:00 on Monday. The government of Taiwan urged the state of China to exercise restraint and avoid misjudging the geopolitical situation.

Escalation Of International Tensions

The launch of the Justice Mission 2025 maneuvers occurs amidst a period of heightened friction between Beijing, the USA and Japan. The government of China recently imposed sanctions on 20 defence-related companies from the USA following the announcement of a major weapons package for Taiwan. Beijing views these arms sales as a breach of the one-China principle and an interference in internal affairs.

Furthermore, remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential military involvement in a Taiwan contingency have contributed to the current escalation. While the PLA did not explicitly mention Japan in its Monday announcement, the Eastern Theatre Command’s posters for the drill, titled "Shield of Justice, Smashing Illusion," depicted the elimination of foreign interlopers.

Concluding Outlook

The implementation of Justice Mission 2025 signifies a shift towards more sophisticated, multi-domain blockading strategies as a primary tool of Chinese institutional signaling. By explicitly incorporating “deterrence outside the island chain” into the official operational objectives, the PLA is transitioning from localised intimidation to a broader strategy aimed at preventing the intervention of European and neo-European states in regional affairs.

This development indicates that future maneuvers will likely emphasise the integration of long-range rocket forces and UAV technology to secure maritime corridors. The continued expansion of these exercises suggests that the state of China is institutionalising a permanent high-readiness posture in the Taiwan Strait, effectively normalising a military presence that can be rapidly converted into an active blockade of the nation’s primary trade ports.