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Taiwan Arms Sale Backlog, November 2025 Update

New Report to LY, Special Budget, and NASAMS Contracts

By Joseph O’Connor and Eric Gomez

While November 2025 did not see any major topline activity in the backlog itself, the second Trump administration made its first maintenance sale of aircraft parts to Taiwan, valued at $330 million. Additionally, many valuable status updates emerged from a new MND report to the Legislative Yuan on arms sales, alongside regular hearings. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also publicly announced Taiwan’s special budget for the first time, which will not directly affect the backlog but signals additional purchases in the future.

The U.S. arms sale backlog to Taiwan as of November 30, 2025, remains $21.54 billion. For arms sales valued at over $1 billion, deliveries in progress are marked in yellow-orange in our visualizations, meaning that the true dollar value is lower than the topline. Figure 1 illustrates the breakdown of the backlog between asymmetric weapons, traditional weapons, and munitions. Table 1 provides an itemized list of all arms sales in the backlog, including the most up-to-date information on their status.

November’s Report to LY and Other Status Updates

On November 3rd, the MND submitted a report to the Legislative Yuan on the status of US arms sales, noting a total of 25 FMS cases that are ongoing, up from 18 in June 2025. The report classified three major sales as “delayed,” namely, F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft, AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOWs), and MK 48 torpedoes, corresponding with earlier statements in October from Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo about delays associated with those sales.

On AGM-154C JSOWs: The report indicates they will continue to be delayed, with delivery not expected until 2027 or 2028, instead of 2026; in line with Premier Cho Jung-tai’s statements in October to that same effect. The AGM-154C has been categorized as a delayed sale by the MND since March 2024, and a contract to produce them was not signed until February 2024.

On MK 48 torpedoes: November’s report categorizes them as delayed for the first time, slipping from 2026 to 2028 and a closeout of 2030, per statements made by the Navy’s Chief of Staff, Vice Adm. Chiu Chun-jung, after the LY report was submitted.

Though known for a while, the November report categorized the sale of 18 HIMARS launchers, 20 ATACMS missiles, and 864 GMLRS rockets as “ahead of schedule,” expected by the fourth quarter of 2026, instead of the projected timeline of 2027. This is likely owing to significant production increases on the US side. Koo, while testifying to the LY concerning the monthly report, also stated that sales of Stinger and Harpoon missiles were on schedule.

A few other status updates appeared in November, from various MND announcements and statements by officials. First, Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Lee Ching-jan informed the LY on November 6th that the first two MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime surveillance drones will be delivered to Taiwan by the third quarter of 2026, continuing on a normal timeline. The MND announced on November 11th that as a part of the “T-Dome” air defense concept, batches of the 100 total PAC-3 MSE interceptors will begin arriving by the end of 2025, with expected completion by 2027. Lastly, Director of the MND Strategic Planning Department Maj. Gen. Huang Wen-chi stated that delivery of the 6 total MS-110 reconnaissance pods will begin in batches before the end of 2025.

The inclusion of these monthly reports by the MND to the LY is a useful and transparent step in determining the status of all sales, but, in particular, those that the MND considers “delayed.”

Lai Announces Special Budget Publicly

On November 25, President Lai Ching-te publicly announced, via a speech and an opinion piece in the Washington Post, a special defense budget worth NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) for “strengthening defense resilience and asymmetric capabilities.” This also included additional statements echoing Lai’s earlier calls to raise defense spending to 3.3% of GDP by 2026 and 5% by 2030.

What this means for the current backlog is unknown, but as of December 2025, significant new arms sales appear to be associated with the special budget funding announced here. Our analysis of the new sales is already published, but additional information about those sales and their relationship to the special budget will be included in the December 2025 backlog update.

NASAMS Update and FMS Sale

Two other major updates regarding backlogged sales also merit consideration. First, on November 17th, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a new contract award to Raytheon for the production of three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) fire units for Taiwan, worth $698.95 million (NT$21.8 billion). Expected to finish in spring 2031, this is part of a $1.16 billion sale of NASAMS approved in October 2024. Owing to this contract’s timeline, it is expected that NASAMS will be an extremely delayed sale in the future.

On November 13th, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a new sale to Taiwan of non-standard spare parts for use in F-16, C-130 and Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft, worth US$330 million (NT$10.28 billion). This marks the first sale during the second Trump administration (and as of the time of writing, certainly not the most recent), the last being approved in December 2024, 329 days prior. Maintenance sales are not counted toward the backlog because they support weapons already in Taiwan’s possession, unlike weapons that have not been delivered, and tracking the delivery status of maintenance equipment is difficult given publicly available information.

Conclusion

The more frequent publication of reports on arms sale timelines to the LY is an encouraging and transparent step from Taiwanese officials. It is worth noting that there are many more than three sales that are delayed, but the MND only appears to categorize “delayed” sales as those that Taiwan has paid for. TSM is working on a complete translation of Koo’s testimony before the LY that we will publish in the new year; and will also have a more in-depth response to the issue of Taiwanese perception between “delayed” and “backlogged” sales.

As of the time of writing, there are many new developments in Taiwanese arms sales, in particular, the addition of a US$11 billion arms package. We at TSM will provide more detail on what that means for the backlog next month.

Taiwan Arms Backlog Data_November 2025 Download

Taiwan Affairs Office: The DPP authorities should stop the unwarranted seizure and detention of, and even the use of dangerous and rough methods against, mainland fishing vessels and fishermen; otherwise, they must bear all the consequences.

A reporter asked: Recently, the China Coast Guard again entered the so-called “prohibited waters” near Kinmen to conduct law-enforcement patrols. Does the Taiwan Affairs Office have information on this, and what is your comment?

Spokesperson Chen Binhua of the Taiwan Affairs Office replied that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are all parts of China. The waters between Xiamen and Kinmen have since ancient times been traditional fishing grounds used by fishermen on both sides of the Strait; the so-called “prohibited” or “restricted waters” simply do not exist. The China Coast Guard’s routine law-enforcement patrols in the relevant waters help maintain order for maritime production activities and safeguard the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait. We sternly warn the DPP authorities to recognize the historical and objective fact that fishermen across the Strait have long worked together in these traditional fishing grounds, and to stop the unwarranted seizure and detention of, and especially the use of dangerous and rough methods against, mainland fishing vessels and fishermen. Otherwise, they must bear all the consequences.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the inclusion of erroneous content related to Taiwan in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

A reporter asked on December 19 about the signing into law of the U.S. “Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act,” which includes provisions allocating US$1 billion for the “Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative” and other Taiwan-related items. What is your comment on this?

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, responded that the U.S. has inserted erroneous Taiwan-related content into the “FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act,” attempting to further “arm Taiwan,” interfere in China’s internal affairs, and send a seriously wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. We are strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly oppose it.

We demand that the U.S. abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, refrain from implementing the Act’s Taiwan-related provisions and eliminate the negative impact, and handle the Taiwan question with utmost prudence. We sternly warn the DPP authorities that no matter how they attempt to “rely on the U.S. to seek independence,” they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, cannot change the doomed fate of “Taiwan independence,” and cannot stop the historical trend toward China’s inevitable reunification.

Weekly PRC Media Review: 12/19/2025

Author: Ethan Connell

Here’s the latest edition of the TSM PRC State Media Tracker. Each Friday, we highlight key excerpts from China’s state media organs, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Taiwan Affairs Office, all below!

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement on the Honduras-Taiwan Relationship

16 December 2025

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, when asked how Taiwan can maintain friendly relations with Honduras while competing with mainland China, said that “Taiwan is building a relationship based on trust and prosperity.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response:

Guo Jiakun: Under the banner of “trust” and “prosperity,” the Taiwan authorities are engaging in so-called “dollar diplomacy,” which cannot conceal their true nature of pursuing “independence” by any means, nor can it deceive public opinion or the people on the island. The “Taiwan independence” forces and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities are going against the tide of history and are destined to fail. Since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations, cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, significantly enhancing Honduras’ long-term development capacity and bringing tremendous benefits to both countries and their peoples. The facts fully demonstrate that upholding the one-China principle accords with the trend of historical development and the progress of the times, and serves the fundamental interests of the countries concerned and their peoples.

Taiwan Affairs Office Statement on the Taiwanese Special Defense Budget

17 December 2025

On President Lai Ching-te’s proposed US$40 billion special budget for purchasing armaments from the United States:

Zhu Fenglian: The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair, and resolving it is a matter for the Chinese people alone, allowing no external interference. The Lai Ching-te administration, for the selfish interests of its party, continues to provoke “Taiwan independence,” repeatedly increases the defense budget, and pushes a “whole-of-society militarization,” tying the people of Taiwan to the separatist bandwagon. Its attempts to “rely on foreign forces to seek independence” and “use force to seek independence” threaten the safety and interests of the Taiwan people. “Taiwan independence” is a dead end; outsiders cannot be relied upon; reunification cannot be stopped. We have firm will, strong determination, and powerful capability to crush all separatist schemes for “Taiwan independence,” to resolutely oppose external interference, and to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement on the Announcement of US Arms Sales to Taiwan

18 December 2025

On the news that the U.S. has initiated arms sales to Taiwan totaling about US$11 billion, one of the largest such packages:

Guo Jiakun: The U.S. has openly announced a massive plan to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, which seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, gravely harms China’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, severely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends a seriously wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this.

The “Taiwan independence” separatist forces on the island are seeking “independence through armed means” and “resisting reunification with weapons,” squandering taxpayers’ money to purchase weaponry and willing to turn Taiwan into a “powder keg.” This will not save the doomed fate of “Taiwan independence.” It will only accelerate the region’s slide toward heightened tension and danger. The U.S. policy of “supporting independence with weapons” will only backfire on itself, and attempts to “use Taiwan to contain China” will never succeed.

The Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations. No one should underestimate the strong will and powerful capability of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China urges the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiqués, honor the serious commitments made by its leaders, and immediately stop its dangerous act of arming Taiwan. China will take resolute and forceful measures to defend its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Taiwan Affairs Office Statement on Announcement of US Arms Sales to Taiwan

18 December 2025

Continued arms sales commentary, this time from the Taiwan Affairs Office:

Chen Binhua: The Taiwan question concerns China’s core interests and is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. The U.S. side has brazenly announced a massive arms sale plan to China’s Taiwan region, crudely interfering in China’s internal affairs and seriously violating the one-China principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué. It gravely harms China’s sovereignty and security interests and sends a serious wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. We firmly oppose this and strongly condemn it. We demand that the U.S. immediately stop “arming Taiwan,” stop condoning and supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, abide by the one-China principle and the three China–U.S. joint communiqués, honor the commitments made by U.S. leaders, and handle the Taiwan issue with the utmost caution.

The DPP authorities stubbornly pursue “seeking independence by relying on the U.S.” and “seeking independence by force,” constantly hyping so-called “defense resolve,” and are willing to turn Taiwan into a “powder keg” and an “ammunition depot,” even at the cost of turning the Taiwanese people into cannon fodder for “Taiwan independence.” This will only bring grave disaster to Taiwan compatriots and fully expose their vicious nature as “destroyers of peace,” “creators of crises,” and “instigators of war.” People across Taiwan should clearly recognize the DPP authorities’ bottomless, pernicious essence of “selling out Taiwan and courting war.” We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that national reunification is an unstoppable trend; if “Taiwan independence” separatist forces dare to cross the red line, we will resolutely strike back.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement on a Planned Radar Station on Kitadaito, Okinawa’s Easternmost Island

18 December 2025

On the news that Japan’s Ministry of Defense signed a land lease agreement on the 15th, planning to deploy mobile radar equipment on the easternmost island of Okinawa to monitor the activities of Chinese aircraft carriers and aircraft in the waters between Okinawa and Miyako Island:

Guo Jiakun: In the relevant sea and air areas, all countries enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.

Due to the history of Japanese militarist aggression, Japan’s military and security moves have long drawn close attention from its Asian neighbors and the international community. Japan has repeatedly strengthened targeted military deployments near Taiwan, and has even stated its intention to deploy intermediate-range missiles. Now it is further escalating by planning to deploy radar and troops to spy on its neighbors. Taken together with Prime Minister Takaichi’s series of erroneous and dangerous remarks regarding Taiwan, one must ask: Is Japan deliberately stirring up trouble, provoking China at close range, and seeking excuses to justify its military expansion and operations abroad? Is Japan following the design of right-wing forces to once again embark on the dangerous and disastrous path of militarism?

We urge Japan to learn from the lessons of history!

New Arms Sales for Taiwan: Details and Reactions

Author: Joe O’Connor

On Wednesday evening, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency and Department of State notified Congress and the public of eight proposed arms sales to Taiwan worth US$11.1 billion in total, confirming reporting from Reuters only hours before. Counted together, this is the largest single arms sale in Taiwan’s history. Below is a detailed accounting of each sale and its contents, along with reactions from the Taiwanese Presidential Office and the PRC’s Taiwan Affairs Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What Is Being Sold?

It is worth prefacing that the below sales are mostly building on current capabilities that Taiwan has, either by expanding stockpiles (in the case of HIMARS, Javelins, TOWs, and ALTIUS) or receiving upgraded versions of equipment (in the case of the Paladins). This is significant as it means that Taiwan has determined how to use these capabilities and is not introducing new platforms that would require additional training time.

HIMARS: The single largest sale in this package, at US$4.05 billion (NT$127.2 billion), consists of 82 HIMARS launchers, 420 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, 756 Guided Multiple Rocket Launch System (GMLRS) unitary rocket pods, 447 GMLRS-Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-AW) rocket pods, and 39 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV or Humvees). This sale comes after a plus-up sale approved in December 2022 for 29 HIMARS launchers, 20 ATACMS, and 144 GMLRS pods; as of December 2025, Taiwan has only received 11 launchers and is expected to receive the remaining 18, plus munitions, in 2026.

M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzers: Worth US$4.03 billion (NT$126.6 billion), this sale consists of 60 Paladins, 60 M992A3 Carrier Ammunition Tracked Vehicles (CATVs), 13 M88A2 Recovery Vehicles, 4,080 Precision Guidance Kits, and 42 International Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (IFATDS), as well as an unspecified number of M2A1 machine guns and M795 155-mm ammunition. This sale is expected to be half of the proposed 120 Paladins, a deal that was reduced from 168 and then cancelled by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense in 2022 due to concerns about delays caused by the war in Ukraine.

ALTIUS-700M and 600 Systems: Worth US$1.10 billion (NT$34.54 billion), this sale consists of an unknown quantity of ALTIUS-700M loitering munitions and ALTIUS-600 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. A previous sale of 291 ALTIUS-600M-V loitering munitions was authorized in June 2024, and an unknown quantity was delivered in August 2025, with all expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

Tactical Mission Network: Worth US$1.01 billion (NT$31.71 billion). The congressional notification for this sale appears to refer to it as a single network, and per Janes, it is a concept explored recently by the U.S. Special Operations Command to “operationalize chat and data-sharing environments” similarly to platforms such as Signal and WhatsApp. The sale also includes unspecified unmanned aerial systems as well as software.

Javelin Missiles: Worth US$375 million (NT$11.78 billion), consisting of 1,050 Javelin FGM-148F missiles, 10 Javelin fly-to-buy missiles, and 70 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs). The last Javelin sale authorized to Taiwan was in December 2015, and was modified in 2019 to total 400 missiles and 46 LwCLUs. Despite delays owing to the war in Ukraine, those Javelins were delivered in July 2024, per an October 2024 MND report cited by TSM Fellow Eric Gomez.

TOW-2B Missiles: Worth US$353 million (NT$11.08 billion), consisting of 1,545 TOW-2B BGM-71F-7-RF missiles, 16 TOW-2B fly-to-buy missiles, and 24 Improved Target Acquisition Systems. Taiwan was last authorized sales of TOW missiles in December 2015 and July 2019, having all 1,700 across both sales delivered in December 2024, despite the original timeline stating delivery in 2022.

AH-1W Helicopter Spare/Repair Parts: Worth US$96 million (NT$3.01 billion), consisting of an unknown quantity of AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter unclassified spare and repair parts. This is a routine maintenance sale for AH-1Ws that Taiwan was authorized to buy in July 1997.

Harpoon Missile Repair Follow-on Support: Worth US$91.4 million (NT$2.87 billion), consisting of an unknown quantity of Harpoon radar seekers, as well as return, repair, and reshipment of Naval Harpoon missiles. This is a routine maintenance sale for what appears to be RGM-84 Harpoons on ROCN vessels, as opposed to the Harpoon Coastal Defense System authorized in 2020 or air-launched Harpoons approved in 2022.

Reaction to the Sales

Immediately after the announcement, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s Presidential Office stated that they were “sincerely grateful to the US government for once again demonstrating that it continues to fulfill its security commitments.” The spokesperson also noted it was the “second arms sale to Taiwan announced during the Trump administration,” and reiterated statements made previously by Lai administration officials concerning increased defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2026 and 5% by 2030. No statements have thus far been made by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, or TECRO Mission in the United States.

In Beijing, the news of the sale was met with a flurry of condemnations from several PRC state organs. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the sale in a press conference on Thursday, condemning it and promising to “take resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.” Additionally, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, an organ responsible for cross-Strait relations, accused Taipei of “seeking independence by relying on the U.S.” and said such sales would turn Taiwan into a “powder keg.”

In Washington, however (as of the time of writing, Thursday morning), there have been no statements aside from the initial DSCA congressional notifications, including none from senior members of the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees, or Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The American Institute in Taiwan also has not commented.

What Does This Mean?

This batch of proposed sales represents a large commitment on the part of the Trump administration to support Taiwan, but is not immune from challenges. Legislative Yuan approval of the DPP’s proposed NT$1.25 trillion special budget is hamstrung by KMT and TPP opposition legislators, who demurred on placing it on the agenda until President Lai testified, an action that the LY cannot compel (causing a minor constitutional crisis). This threatens to delay delivery of not only current sales, but also these future ones, particularly if the special budget is cut or fails to pass.

The issue of production challenges also merits consideration. HIMARS production has increased, so much so that the MND has classified its remaining 18 launchers from the 2022 sale to be ahead of schedule, and it is likely that these additional HIMARS will not be excessively delayed. A potential decrease in support to Ukraine also means that Paladins and Javelins could be focused on Taiwan instead, decreasing timelines further. But it merits remembering that currently (not counting these recent sales), over US$21 billion in already authorized equipment is delayed, including F-16C/D Block 70s and AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapons, due to production issues.

Watching the progress of the special budget through the LY, as well as other arms developments, will be valuable in determining how these new sales will work. Overall, however, this is an encouraging development for Taiwan’s security.

Taiwan Affairs Office: The Central Economic Work Conference has provided stable expectations, new drivers of innovation, and important opportunities for strengthening cross-Strait economic cooperation and deepening cross-Strait integrated development.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The 2025 Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 10 to 11, and Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots are following it closely. How will the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference be implemented to promote the development of Taiwan-funded businesses and Taiwan compatriots on the mainland?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council replied that at this important historical juncture—when the 14th Five-Year Plan is about to be successfully concluded, and the 15th Five-Year Plan is about to begin—the Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 10 to 11. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the meeting, summarizing the economic work of 2025, analyzing the current economic situation, and making arrangements for economic work in 2026, providing scientific guidance for ensuring a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan.

On the basis of a thorough review of this year’s economic work and an accurate assessment of next year’s development outlook, the conference pointed out that the policy orientation for doing next year’s economic work is to “maintain stability while seeking progress, and improve quality and efficiency.” The meeting emphasized that “we must fully tap economic potential; we must advance policy support and reform and innovation in parallel; we must both ‘give full play to vitality’ and ‘ensure effective regulation’; we must closely integrate investment in things with investment in people; and we must respond to external challenges by diligently strengthening our internal capabilities.” It clarified the key tasks of next year’s economic work and provided fundamental guidance for doing it well.

The conference has provided stable expectations, new drivers of innovation, and important opportunities for strengthening cross-Strait economic cooperation and deepening cross-Strait integrated development. We will thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech, as well as the spirit of the 20th Central Committee’s Fourth Plenary Session and the Central Economic Work Conference, continuously improve the policies and institutional arrangements that promote cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and deepen cross-Strait integrated development. We will help the broad ranks of Taiwan businesspeople and enterprises seize the development opportunities of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and continue to support Taiwan businesses and enterprises in integrating into the new development pattern and participating in high-quality development. We hope that the vast number of Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots will clearly recognize the overall trend, strengthen their confidence, seize opportunities, take root on the mainland, and forge ahead, so as to share in the bright prospects of Chinese-style modernization and jointly promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the great cause of national reunification.

Taiwan Affairs Office: When the nation thrives and the country is strong, people on both sides of the Strait will live even better.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked about the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit, which has taken place over the past two days in Nanjing. Could the spokesperson provide an overview?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that the 2025 Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit was held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, from December 16 to 17. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony, delivered remarks, and met with representatives of entrepreneurs from both sides of the Strait. Chairman Wang emphasized that people on both sides of the Strait are all Chinese, and that the economies on both sides are part of the broader economy of the Chinese nation. When the nation thrives and the country is strong, people on both sides of the Strait will live even better. During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s modernization drive will usher in a new chapter, continuing the dual miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. He expressed hope that Taiwan compatriots and enterprises would seize the opportunities of the times and work together to create lasting prosperity for the Chinese nation.

Approximately 800 participants—including council members and members of the Cross-Strait Entrepreneurs Summit, entrepreneurs from both sides of the Strait, and relevant experts and scholars—attended the annual meeting. Centered on the theme “Focusing on Transformation and Innovation, Deepening Multi-Chain Cooperation,” the discussions addressed topics such as how Taiwan businesses can seize the opportunities presented by the formulation and implementation of the “15th Five-Year Plan,” accelerate integration into the new development paradigm, participate in high-quality development, and deepen the integration of cross-Strait industrial and supply chains. Representatives of Taiwan’s business community expressed strong confidence in the mainland’s development and stated that they would continue to actively participate in cross-Strait economic exchanges and cooperation.

Taiwan Affairs Office: The DPP authorities’ crude ban on Xiaohongshu is a case of political manipulation marked by double standards.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The DPP authorities have imposed a one-year provisional “ban” on Xiaohongshu under the pretext of responding to an “emergency fraud-prevention situation,” which has been criticized as an “illegal expansion of powers” and has triggered strong backlash on the island. Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior and Mainland Affairs Council claim that the action is a “lawful, general emergency measure” and unrelated to cross-Strait policy or relations. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian of the Taiwan Affairs Office responded that the DPP authorities’ explanation is extremely weak and unconvincing. According to media reports on the island, Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud-related cases last year in Taiwan, and the number has already exceeded 30,000 this year—far more than the so-called “cases” the DPP claims Xiaohongshu is involved in. The DPP authorities’ deliberate targeting of Xiaohongshu for such a crude ban is entirely a politically manipulative act marked by double standards. Their so-called “anti-fraud” justification is nothing more than a pretext; the real intention is to pursue “Taiwan independence,” deliberately stoke “anti-China, protect Taiwan” sentiment, block channels of cross-Strait exchange, and deprive the people of Taiwan—especially young people—of their right to access information and their freedom to use social media platforms. These malicious actions have already provoked strong dissatisfaction and opposition from the people of Taiwan, particularly its youth.

Taiwan Affairs Office: Reunification is the just and prevailing trend, and it is unstoppable.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Recently, the 2025 Cross-Strait “Character of the Year” was announced in Taipei. Netizens from across the Strait and overseas enthusiastically participated, with total votes exceeding 15.82 million. The character “势” (“momentum,” “trend,” or “force”) was selected as the 2025 Cross-Strait Character of the Year with over 1.28 million votes. What is your comment?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that the selection of the character “势” by a high number of netizens—especially compatriots on both sides of the Strait—reflects a shared perception of the pulse of the times. It signifies that the historic trend of national reunification and national rejuvenation is surging forward with great momentum and cannot be stopped.

The choice of “势” is the simplest way for people on both sides of the Strait to add a footnote to the reunification process in the new era: Reunification is the just and prevailing trend, and it will inevitably converge into an unstoppable tide of the times. From the perspective of the historical principle that “the trend of the times cannot be resisted,” resolving the Taiwan question and achieving complete national reunification is the shared aspiration of all Chinese people and an essential requirement for realizing national rejuvenation. A growing number of Taiwan compatriots, upholding the greater national interest, are actively participating in the great cause of national rejuvenation and demonstrating through action that “people on both sides of the Strait are one family.” From the perspective of the “unstoppable momentum” of popular will, more and more Taiwan compatriots recognize the destructive nature of the “Taiwan independence” forces—how they harm Taiwan, endanger Taiwan, and bring ruin to Taiwan—and firmly oppose separatism and external interference in defense of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. From the perspective of the mission to “act in accordance with the trend,” we continue to deepen cross-Strait economic and social integration, roll out policies that benefit Taiwan compatriots, and advance cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in a deeper and more pragmatic way, enabling Taiwan compatriots and enterprises to share development opportunities, strengthen emotional bonds, and build a more solid, more favorable, and more dynamic foundation for reunification.

As compatriots in Taiwan have said: Choosing “势” is choosing hope, choosing the future! This hope is the aspiration to “ride the momentum” and jointly realize the Chinese Dream; this future is the vision of “gathering momentum into a tide” to jointly promote reunification. We will unite with our Taiwan compatriots, follow the trend of history, enhance shared benefits through exchanges and cooperation, strengthen emotional bonds through integrated development, and together build the powerful force driving national reunification and rejuvenation, opening a vast new chapter for the Chinese nation.

Taiwan Affairs Office: Taiwan businesses and enterprises can share in the new development opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port.

At the December 17 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: On December 18, the Hainan Free Trade Port will officially begin island-wide customs closure operations. This is a landmark step in the mainland’s unwavering commitment to expanding high-level opening-up and promoting the development of an open world economy, and it has attracted great interest from Taiwan businesses and enterprises. What opportunities and benefits will this bring to them?

Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that beginning on December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port will officially launch island-wide customs closure operations. This is a landmark measure demonstrating the mainland’s firm commitment to high-level opening-up and to fostering an open world economy.

After the customs closure, the Hainan Free Trade Port will fully implement the special regulatory framework of “free flow across the first line, effective control at the second line, and freedom within the island.” Tax incentives centered on “zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system” will fully release their benefits—reducing production costs, boosting development vitality, improving the quality of consumer supply, and supporting the creation of an international tourism and consumption center. At the same time, trade management will become more relaxed and convenient, regulatory practices more precise and efficient, and a series of innovative measures in areas such as trade liberalization, investment facilitation, and financial openness will bring more opportunities and advantages to Taiwan businesses and enterprises.

Taiwan-invested companies can leverage the institutional advantages of the Free Trade Port to expand their space for development in Hainan, achieve new growth, better integrate into the country’s new development paradigm, and share in the new opportunities presented by the Free Trade Port.