On December 29, the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army announced a joint military exercise — “Just Mission-2025” — in the maritime and airspace areas surrounding Taiwan.
The big picture: Beijing framed the operation as a “stern warning” against Taiwanese pro-independence forces and external interference.
- For Taipei, this is yet another act undermining regional stability and the rules-based international order.
By the numbers: Official data released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence:
- 130 Chinese military aircraft detected
- 14 vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy
- 8 official ships
- 90 sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s various ADIZ zones
According to Tsai, the decision to make these figures public reflects Taiwan’s determination to transparently demonstrate the scale of Beijing’s military manoeuvres and pressure.
What he’s saying: Ambassador Vincent Y. C. Tsai describes a direct threat to regional peace:
- “Our government expresses strong condemnation and urges China to cease these unfounded military provocations immediately.”
- Tsai stresses that the drills are part of a broader strategy of military pressure and coercion in the so-called “grey zone,” carried out through increasingly frequent air and naval incursions across the Indo-Pacific.
- “These actions clearly demonstrate that China has no interest in maintaining global and regional peace and stability, and continues to challenge the international order and undermine the regional status quo.”
- According to the ambassador, maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait has now become an international consensus that reflects the interests of all parties involved.
Between the lines: Tsai accuses Beijing of using military exercises as a tool of intimidation not only against Taiwan, but also against countries along the first island chain.
- In his view, these actions violate the principles of the United Nations Charter and international norms governing the use of force.
- The ambassador insists that China is unilaterally altering the status quo, with direct repercussions for security, navigation, and global trade.
- “Our government urges China to demonstrate genuine great-power responsibility and immediately put an end to such acts of bullying.”
What we’re watching:
- Tsai reiterates that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community and the Indo-Pacific region, will continue to work to preserve stability in the Taiwan Strait.
- Through Decode39, the ambassador also delivers a direct message to Italy:
- “Your country’s position and voice on this issue will be an important force in maintaining peace, stability, and global and regional prosperity.”
