CaliToday (29/12/2025): The Taiwan Strait has been thrust back into a state of high military tension as Beijing’s Eastern Theater Command announced a massive, unannounced two-day military exercise surrounding the island. The operation, a significant escalation in regional brinkmanship, began early Monday morning.
The "Total Encirclement" Strategy
Code-named "Righteous Mission 2025," the drills involve a full-scale mobilization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force. Unlike previous localized maneuvers, this exercise aims to simulate a complete blockade of Taiwan.
Military sources report that Tuesday’s agenda includes high-intensity live-fire drills in both the air and sea. The PLA intends to practice seizing air superiority and maritime control, specifically focusing on isolating Taiwan’s primary commercial ports from global supply chains.
A "Stern Warning" to Taipei and Tokyo
Beijing’s official spokespeople have characterized the drills as a "stern warning" against separatist forces and foreign interference. While the primary target is the administration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, analysts suggest a sharper secondary message is being sent to Tokyo.
The drills follow recent provocative statements by Japanese Prime Minister Takayuki Takaichi, who reaffirmed the stance that "a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency." By deploying the Rocket Force and simulating a blockade, Beijing is demonstrating its capability to deny regional allies access to the Strait.
A New Era of Volatility
This marks the first major exercise of its scale since April 2025 and represents the culmination of a year-long surge in military activity. In recent months, the frequency of incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) has reached record highs.
Observers warn that the "Righteous Mission" indicates that Beijing is moving beyond mere posturing. The precision and coordination of the four military branches suggest that the PLA is refining the actual logistics required for a total isolation of the island. As the Taiwan Strait enters this "new sensitive phase," the risk of a miscalculation between global superpowers has never been higher.