December 31, 2025 | 01:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China fired multiple rockets into waters surrounding Taiwan on Tuesday, December 30, marking the second day of large-scale military exercises that included simulations of a blockade of the island, as Beijing continued to ramp up military pressure on Taipei.
According to an Al Jazeera report, the drills featured live-fire exercises conducted across five designated maritime and aerial zones around Taiwan from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM local time.
The operations involved joint air and naval patrols, precision strike simulations, and anti-submarine warfare maneuvers.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard said seven rockets were launched into training zones one and two, which are maritime areas designated by the Chinese military for live-fire exercises.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense added that some of the drills were carried out in waters that Taiwan considers part of its territorial sea, or within 12 nautical miles of its coastline.
Military Deployment and Operational Scope
Fox News reported that the large-scale live-fire exercises represent the most extensive military encirclement of Taiwan in the past eight months.
The outlet also aired video footage released by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, showing rocket launches into waters north of Taiwan as well as bomber aircraft taking off during nighttime operations.
According to the report, the drills, codenamed Justice Mission 2025, involved coordinated deployments of ground forces, warships, fighter jets, drones, and artillery across several maritime zones surrounding the island.
Taiwan Government’s Statement
Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday that Beijing continues to escalate military pressure in the region. Citing a Focus Taiwan report, Lai said, “China has continued to escalate military tension in the region, which is not the behavior of a responsible world power.”
He emphasized that Taiwan would refrain from taking provocative actions. “Taiwan will not provoke a confrontation, nor seek conflict with China,” Lai said.
On the same day, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense stated that Chinese military activities around the island were ongoing.
In a statement posted on social media, the ministry said a total of 130 People’s Liberation Army aircraft, 14 navy vessels, and eight coast guard ships were detected operating around Taiwan as of 06:00 AM local time.
The ministry added that 90 of the 130 aircraft sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern regions.
"90 out of 130 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ (air defense identification zone). We monitored the situation, responded," it added.
Civil Impact of Justice Mission 2025
The Justice Mission 2025 exercises began on Monday, just days after the United States announced an arms sales package to Taiwan valued at US$11.1 billion. According to China Daily, the drills are part of Beijing’s response to the arms sale and serve as a warning to the Taiwanese authorities.
The military exercises have also disrupted civilian air travel. Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration said more than 80 domestic flights were canceled, while over 300 international flights were warned of potential delays due to air route diversions.
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