Taiwan Remains Vigilant as China Withdraws Ships After 'Justice Mission 2025' Drills: Cross-Strait Tensions Persist

Taiwan on High Alert as Chinese Forces Retreat After Extensive 'Justice Mission 2025' Military DrillsAs 2025 draws to a close, Taiwan remained on heightened alert on December 31, following China's massive two-day military exercises dubbed Justice Mission 2025. Although Chinese warships and aircraft began pulling back, Taiwan's coast guard and defense forces continued monitoring the situation closely, with emergency response centers fully operational.The drills, which concluded on December 30-31, represented China's most expansive war games around Taiwan to date, featuring live-fire rocket launches, simulated port blockades, and joint operations across air, sea, and land forces. Taiwan's authorities condemned the maneuvers as provocative, while international allies expressed concern over regional stability.Details of China's Justice Mission 2025 Drills Around TaiwanLaunched abruptly on December 29-30, the PLA Justice Mission 2025 involved the People's Liberation Army (PLA) deploying dozens of warships, over 100 aircraft sorties (many crossing the Taiwan Strait median line), coast guard vessels, and rocket forces. Key activities included:Firing dozens of rockets into waters near Taiwan, including long-range live-fire from multiple launch systems. Simulating blockades of key Taiwanese ports and encirclement of the island. Anti-submarine operations, precision strikes on maritime targets, and amphibious assault rehearsals east of Taiwan. Deployment of advanced assets like Type 052D destroyers, amphibious ships, and drones. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting up to 130 aircraft sorties and numerous vessels, with some encroaching into Taiwan's contiguous zone. The exercises disrupted air traffic, forcing cancellations of domestic flights and rerouting international ones.For comprehensive coverage, refer to Reuters reuters.com , The New York Times nytimes.com , and Al Jazeera reports on the drills.Triggers and Timing of the China Taiwan Military Drills 2025The exercises commenced just 11 days after the United States approved a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, which Beijing viewed as interference. Chinese state media, including Xinhua, highlighted "three key takeaways" from the drills, framing them as a "stern warning" against "Taiwan independence separatists" and "external forces."Additional context includes recent statements from Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on bolstering defenses and Japan's indications of potential involvement in cross-strait conflicts. Analysts note the drills tested PLA capabilities for rapid deployment, blockade enforcement, and deterring foreign intervention—aligning with preparations for potential scenarios by 2027.Taiwan's Response and Ongoing VigilanceDespite the withdrawal of Chinese ships, Taiwan's coast guard maintained its emergency maritime response center, dispatching patrol vessels and coordinating with the military. Defense forces scrambled jets, issued warnings, and conducted rapid-response drills, including barricade setups.Taiwan condemned the exercises as "blatant provocation" threatening regional security, with officials emphasizing readiness to defend sovereignty. No incidents of direct confrontation were reported, but the disruption to civilian aviation and shipping highlighted the real-world impact.International Reactions to China Taiwan Tensions December 2025Western allies, including the United States, European Union, Britain, and others, voiced concern. The EU stated it had a "direct interest" in preserving the Taiwan Strait status quo, warning that the drills endangered peace. The Pentagon's recent reports on China's military buildup added to the backdrop of unease.Broader Implications for Cross-Strait Relations in 2026The Justice Mission 2025 drills mark the seventh major PLA exercise around Taiwan since 2022, signaling persistent pressure on Taipei. While no invasion appears imminent, the increased scale and frequency normalize gray-zone tactics, raising thresholds for escalation.As Chinese forces pull back, Taiwan's sustained high alert reflects caution against potential follow-up actions. The incident underscores the fragile balance in the Taiwan Strait amid US-China rivalry.Experts anticipate continued PLA activities in 2026, testing Taiwan's defenses and international resolve. For those following China Taiwan news 2025, this episode serves as a stark reminder of ongoing geopolitical risks.