Overall Highlights

• China is conducting extensive military drills around Taiwan, which it claims are necessary for national defense.
• Taiwan views these drills as aggressive provocations and a threat to regional stability.
• The U.S. arms deal with Taiwan has escalated tensions, prompting China to increase military readiness in the region.
• Both sides are preparing for potential conflict, with Taiwan emphasizing the need to deter Chinese aggression.
• There is a clear divide in perspectives, with China framing its actions as defensive and Taiwan labeling them as unilateral provocations.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• PLA Eastern Theater Command is conducting joint exercises around Taiwan to enhance combat readiness and demonstrate military capabilities.
• China’s military drills are described as a response to perceived external interference and threats to sovereignty.
• The drills are framed as necessary actions to safeguard national interests and deter ‘separatist’ movements in Taiwan.
• Chinese media emphasizes the drills as routine and essential for national defense, dismissing Taiwan’s concerns as unfounded.

Taiwan Perspective (Taiwan Sources)

• Taiwan’s Presidential Office condemns China’s live-fire drills as a unilateral provocation that escalates tensions in the region.
• Taiwanese officials assert that these military exercises threaten regional peace and stability, calling for international attention.
• Taiwan’s leadership emphasizes the need to raise the cost of war to deter Chinese aggression and protect its sovereignty.
• Taiwanese media highlights the drills as part of China’s broader strategy of intimidation and coercion against Taiwan.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] Multiple forces of PLA Eastern Theater Command conduct joint exercises around Taiwan - news.cgtn.com (12/29/2025)
2. [en-US] Expert interprets PLA’s ‘Justice Mission 2025’ drill areas as media on Taiwan island describes exercises as ‘sudden’ - Global Times (12/29/2025)
3. [en-US] PLA strikes mobile ground targets in drills in middle areas of Taiwan Strait - China Daily (12/29/2025)
4. [en-US] PLA strikes mobile ground targets in drills in middle areas of Taiwan Strait - 新华网 (12/29/2025)
5. [en-US] Drills demonstrate China’s resolve to defend sovereignty against external interference - China Daily (12/29/2025)
6. [en-US] PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts combat readiness patrols around Taiwan Island - news.cgtn.com (12/29/2025)
7. [en-US] PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts combat readiness patrols around Taiwan Island - 新华网 (12/29/2025)
8. [en-US] Developing | PLA holds drills around Taiwan in warning to ‘separatists’ after US arms deal - South China Morning Post (12/29/2025)
9. [en-US] PLA conducts combat readiness patrols surrounding Taiwan Island - China Daily (12/29/2025)
10. [en-US] PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan - 新华网 (12/28/2025)
11. [en-US] China’s live-fire drill around Taiwan ‘unilateral provocation’: Presidential Office - Focus Taiwan (12/29/2025)
12. [en-US] Brahma Chellaney On Taiwan: China’s bullying of Japan is backfiring in the Taiwan Strait - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
13. [en-US] US remains largest debtor to Taiwan - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
14. [en-US] Saturday’s earthquake damage mostly repaired - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
15. [en-US] Army soldiers finish grueling 10-day ranger course - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
16. [en-US] Party demands release of records on China visits - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
17. [en-US] Taiwan denounces Chinese drills around Taiwan - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
18. [en-US] Speaker Han denies he received China support - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
19. [en-US] Lai says Taiwan must raise cost of war to deter China - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)
20. [en-US] Tainan story - Taipei Times (12/28/2025)