Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments.
Speaking to reporters during a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on December 30, the US president said he had seen media reports about the drills but had received no direct communication from Beijing.
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency Trump said “He hasn’t told me anything about it. I’ve certainly seen the information, but he hasn’t told me anything, and I don’t think he’s really going to do that. There’s absolutely nothing for me to worry about.”
The comments came after China’s People’s Liberation Army announced a new round of military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills. The manoeuvres, known as Justice Mission-2025, began on December 28, and cover areas in and around the Taiwan Strait, as well as waters to the north, south-west, south-east and east of the island. Live-fire exercises are scheduled to take place on December 30 in five designated sea and air zones.
Asked whether the drills caused him concern, Mr Trump noted that China had long conducted military activity in the region. “China has been conducting naval exercises in that region for 20 years,” he said, adding that while perceptions may have shifted, “they’ve done them on a much larger scale in the past” CNA added.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it had established a response centre and deployed appropriate forces in line with its regulations for handling contingencies during periods of routine combat readiness. CNA reports that the ministry also said it had launched immediate preparedness drills to monitor and respond to the situation
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation.
The exercises, involving China’s army, navy, air force and rocket force, simulate the seizure and blockade of key locations around Taiwan. Chinese state media footage released on December 29 showed warships manoeuvring and weapons being fired at sea as the operation got under way, the BBC reports.
Dubbed Justice Mission 2025, the drills come just days after Washington approved one of its biggest-ever arms sales to Taipei, valued at around $11bn. Beijing responded swiftly, condemning the move and imposing sanctions on several US defence companies. Taiwan’s own efforts to expand defence spending this year have further fuelled Chinese anger, with Beijing continuing to claim the island as its territory.
The exercises also come just weeks after Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi hinted that any moves on Taiwan by China would be of concern for Tokyo and may be seen as a threat by Japan.
Taiwan’s presidential office also criticised the exercises according to local media, saying they undermine regional stability and challenge international norms. The island’s defence ministry meanwhile reported detecting nearly 90 Chinese military aircraft and close to 30 naval and coastguard vessels operating nearby on December 29 alone. Taiwanese forces, including missile units, were placed on high alert as authorities moved to monitor developments closely although there was little sign of any concern on the streets of the capital and also Taiwan’s largest city - New Taipei - where life went on as normal.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command, which oversees operations in the Taiwan Strait, framed the drills as a show of resolve and deterrence and a larger phase of the exercise is scheduled to run throughout December 30, with live-fire activity expected across several zones surrounding the island.
Beijing’s foreign ministry also reinforced the message, portraying the manoeuvres as a punishment aimed at those pushing Taiwan towards formal independence and a warning to outside powers against using the island to in some way contain China; Read: Japan and the US. Notably, while Chinese leaders continue to speak of peaceful reunification, domestic law allows for the use of force if separation is pursued, the BBC points out.
The renewed tensions place Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, under intense scrutiny although looking at his English language X feed that would be hard to believe - Lai’s last post was on December 26 and showed him welcoming a well known Japanese political figure to the island.
Similarly, his vice-President, Bi-khim Hsiao was last active on Christmas Eve, when she reposted a Ministry of National Defence missive informing Taiwanese that “According to data from NORAD, Santa Claus flew over #Taiwan, passing Taipei at 10:41 p.m. (UTC+8) today. During this time, #ROCArmedForces maintained full control of the surrounding sea and airspace, ensuring normal conditions throughout.”
Beijing for its part accuses Lai of steering the island towards independence, an allegation his administration rejects. Lai, however, maintains that Taiwan already functions as a sovereign state and has no need to declare independence, while insisting that peace depends on credible deterrence.
For ordinary Taiwanese, the only noticeable disruption to daily life has been for those flying in or out of the island ahead of New Year’s Day. Taiwan’s transport ministry said flight paths have been adjusted to avoid risk zones, affecting more than 100,000 passengers on domestic and international routes
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