Mon Dec 29 17:19:13 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text:
China launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan on December 29, 2025, simulating a blockade of the island’s key ports. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and hasn’t ruled out using force to seize it. These drills, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” involve army, navy, air force, and rocket force troops and focus on sea-air combat readiness, blockade, and all-dimensional deterrence. The drills follow recent arms sales to Taiwan by the United States, which China condemns. Taiwan has condemned the drills as military intimidation and a violation of international norms, reporting a high number of Chinese military aircraft and warships near its shores. The drills are also impacting international shipping and aviation routes, with numerous flights affected. China defends the drills as a warning against Taiwan independence and a necessary action to safeguard its sovereignty.
Here’s a rewritten version as a news article:
China Simulates Taiwan Blockade with Live-Fire Drills, Taipei Condemns “Military Intimidation”
Beijing, December 29, 2025 – China commenced large-scale live-fire military exercises around Taiwan on Monday, simulating a blockade of the island’s major ports. The drills, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” have been condemned by Taiwan as a blatant act of military intimidation and a violation of international norms.
According to China’s military, the exercises involve a joint force of army, navy, air force, and rocket force troops. The drills are designed to test sea-air combat readiness, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade tactics on key ports, and all-dimensional deterrence outside of Taiwan. Five designated zones around Taiwan have been identified for the exercises, with some encroaching within 12 nautical miles of the island’s coast, disrupting international shipping and aviation routes.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported detecting a record 89 Chinese military aircraft near its shores, the highest number in a single day since October 2024, along with 28 warships and coast guard vessels. The Civil Aviation Administration also reported that over 100,000 air passengers would be affected due to the China’s activity.
“China’s actions disregard international norms and threaten regional peace and stability,” stated Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo in a press release. “We strongly condemn this display of military force.”
Beijing defends the drills as a “stern warning” against Taiwan independence forces and a legitimate measure to safeguard China’s sovereignty and national unity. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reiterated that any attempts to prevent China’s unification with Taiwan are doomed to fail.
The exercises follow a recent increase in US arms sales to Taiwan, a move that China has consistently protested. Beijing warned that external forces arming Taipei would push the Taiwan Strait towards a perilous situation of imminent war.
The drills are expected to continue, raising concerns about further disruptions to regional air and sea traffic and escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
First Piper 