Tensions are escalating around the Taiwan Strait

Taipei [Taiwan], January 1: CNA reported that as part of the "Justice Mission 2025" exercise, the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) selected five areas for live-fire drills on December 30, 2025, until 6 PM that day. Later, the China Maritime Safety Administration added two more live-fire areas.
Yesterday (December 31, 2025), Taiwan's Ministry of Defense confirmed that a total of 207 Chinese military aircraft had been operating around the island in the 48 hours leading up to early yesterday morning, according to Kyodo News . Of those aircraft that appeared until 6:00 AM on December 31, 2025, 125 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island's air defense identification zone. The Chinese military also launched a total of 27 rockets in two waves between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on December 30, 2025, from the coastal Fujian province into the waters north and southwest of Taiwan.
In a statement yesterday, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te criticized Beijing for its latest aggressive actions, not only around Taiwan but also near Japan and in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, at a press conference the same day, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese government, emphasized that these military exercises were a stern warning to "separatist forces demanding independence for Taiwan and external interference."
In light of these developments, the Japanese Foreign Ministry has expressed concern to China regarding the military exercises around Taiwan. According to AFP, the British Foreign Office also warned that China's drills are increasing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and raising the risk of escalation.
Source: Thanh Nien, Newspaper