Xi told the nation on December 31 that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share "a bond of blood and kinship." He called reunification "a trend of the times" no force can halt.

Taiwan condemned the remarks as provocative. President Lai Ching-te vowed to resist "expansionist ambitions" and strengthen defenses in his own address.The U.S. State Department accused China of unnecessarily raising tensions. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott urged restraint and dialogue, opposing unilateral changes to the status quo.

Drills dubbed "Justice Mission 2025" ran December 29-30. The People's Liberation Army deployed air, naval, rocket, and coast guard forces to encircle Taiwan, simulate blockades of key ports, and practice precision strikes. Live-fire zones expanded to seven, some nearing Taiwan's territorial waters—closer than prior exercises. Rockets landed near the island's contiguous zone.

Beijing described the operation as a "stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatists and external interference. Analysts linked it to the U.S. approving an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan on December 18—the largest ever—including HIMARS rockets, howitzers, anti-tank missiles, and drones.

China retaliated with sanctions on U.S. defense firms. President Donald Trump downplayed risks, citing his strong relationship with Xi. "He hasn’t told me anything about it," Trump said, adding China has conducted similar exercises for decades.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's earlier statement—that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt Tokyo's military response—also fueled Beijing's anger. The drills underscore persistent cross-strait frictions, with experts warning of miscalculation risks as China builds capabilities and allies bolster Taiwan's deterrence.