The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command announced large-scale military exercises near the Taiwan region on December 30, 2025, focusing on integrated maritime, air defense, and anti-submarine operations. The drills, conducted north and south of Taiwan Island, involved destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, and bombers executing simulated combat scenarios.
Military analysts describe the maneuvers as testing critical capabilities in sea-air coordination and joint blockade operations, with forces practicing target identification, warning protocols, and precision strike simulations. The theater command emphasized these exercises as routine training to maintain combat readiness.
This development comes amid increased attention to cross-strait relations, with regional security experts noting the drills' timing during year-end strategic assessments. While no specific geopolitical trigger was cited, the exercises underscore ongoing efforts to modernize PLA operational capabilities in complex combat environments.
