The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command will conduct large-scale joint military exercises in five designated maritime and airspace zones on December 30, 2025, according to an official notice released today. The drills, scheduled from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time, will include live-fire activities across strategic locations in the Taiwan Strait region.
Three of the five designated areas are positioned northeast of Taiwan region's primary island chain, while two additional zones span waters southwest of Kinmen Island near the Chinese mainland's Fujian Province. The notice emphasized safety precautions, advising civilian vessels and aircraft to avoid entering the marked coordinates during the 10-hour operation window.
Military analysts note these exercises occur amid ongoing discussions about cross-strait relations, following recent statements from both Beijing and Taipei regarding regional security frameworks. The PLA Eastern Theater Command stated the drills represent "routine combat readiness patrols" aimed at maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan authorities have acknowledged the drill announcement through their defense ministry's public channels, confirming enhanced surveillance measures. Commercial shipping operators have been advised to consult updated navigational charts through official maritime safety channels.
This marks the third major PLA exercise in the Taiwan Strait this year, with previous drills conducted in April and August 2025. Regional observers will monitor whether the exercises impact ongoing diplomatic efforts between stakeholders in East Asia.
