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!
Justice Mission 2025 Exercises Around Taiwan
29 December 2025
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
CCTV Reporter: This morning, the Eastern Theater Command conducted military exercises near Taiwan Island. According to reports, these drills are a response to the United States’ recent large-scale arms sale to Taiwan totaling 11.1 billion USD. What is the spokesperson’s comment?
Lin Jian: The spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command has already released information regarding the exercises. The People’s Liberation Army’s military drills are a stern punishment for the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces who attempt to “seek independence through armed means.” They are a necessary action to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
I want to emphasize that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities obstinately cling to a “Taiwan independence” position, attempting to “rely on the U.S. to seek independence,” and are willing to turn Taiwan into a “powder keg” and “ammunition depot.” This fully exposes their malicious nature as “destroyers of peace,” “creators of crises,” and “instigators of war.”
External forces, by “using Taiwan to contain China” and arming Taiwan, will only inflate the arrogance of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces and push the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous state of conflict.
The Taiwan question lies at the core of China’s core interests. China’s determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is unwavering. Any provocative act that crosses the line on the Taiwan question will be met with a firm Chinese response, and any attempt to obstruct China’s reunification will never succeed.
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Reuters reporter: Was the trigger for China’s military exercises near Taiwan the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan worth 11.1 billion USD? And when the Eastern Theater Command referred to “external interference forces,” was it referring to the United States? (A reporter from Japan’s NHK asked a similar question.)
Lin Jian: I want to emphasize once again that China’s determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is unwavering. Any egregious act of crossing the line on the Taiwan question will inevitably be met with a firm response from China.
From the Ministry of National Defense:
Reporter: On December 29, the Eastern Theater Command conducted the “Justice Mission–2025” exercise around Taiwan. Some foreign media claim the drills are a response to the United States’ recent large-scale arms sales to Taiwan. Do you have any comment?
Zhang Xiaogang: The Eastern Theater Command immediately released information on the “Justice Mission–2025” exercise. This exercise is a serious warning to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interference forces, and a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
In recent days, external forces have repeatedly crossed lines on the Taiwan question, attempting to embolden “Taiwan independence” separatists, intensify cross-strait confrontation, severely undermine China’s sovereignty and security, and gravely damage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Lai Ching-te authorities, meanwhile, have shamelessly aligned themselves with external forces, recklessly provoking with their pursuit of “independence,” and have become the root cause of tension and the chief source of instability in the Taiwan Strait.
“Taiwan independence” and peace in the Taiwan Strait are as incompatible as fire and water. External forces that indulge or support “Taiwan independence” will only end up burning themselves and suffering the consequences. We urge relevant countries to abandon their fantasy of “using Taiwan to contain China,” stop fueling tensions on the Taiwan question, and refrain from challenging China’s determination and resolve to defend its core interests.
We also sternly warn the DPP authorities: seeking independence by relying on external forces is doomed to fail, and resisting reunification with military force leads to a dead end. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never hesitate in combating separatism and promoting reunification. It will continue to carry out anti-secession and anti-interference operations to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
Japanese Lawmaker to Visit Taiwan
31 December 2025
An exchange from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding a Japanese politician’s plan to visit Taiwan as proof it is an “independent country” :
Tokyo Television reporter: A Japanese House of Councillors member, Shi Ping (Hei Seki), said on social media today that he plans to visit Taiwan early next year and claimed that he has been banned from entering China. He said that if he is able to enter Taiwan, it would prove that Taiwan is an “independent country” unrelated to China. What is China’s comment on this?
Lin Jian: Such despicable remarks and behavior by a scoundrel are not worth commenting on.
Reactions to “Justice Mission 2025”
31 December 2025
A release from the Taiwan Affairs Office condemning Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and stating that recent exercises are a “solemn warning” to Taiwan:
At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command’s organization, starting on December 29, of forces from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force to conduct the “Justice Mission–2025” exercise around Taiwan, which has drawn close attention on the island and caused strong reactions.
In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that the PLA’s relevant military actions constitute a solemn warning to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interference, and are a necessary and just measure to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Lai Ching-te authorities are engaging in “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, currying favor with foreign forces without principles and selling out Taiwan without limits. They are willing to sacrifice Taiwan’s economic development and people’s well-being as they recklessly rush down a misguided path of colluding with external forces to pursue “independence” provocations and militarization. This has severely damaged cross-Strait relations, gravely threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and seriously harmed the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots. Any “Taiwan independence” separatist actions will never be tolerated or indulged and will be met with decisive and severe blows.
Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. Any external forces that attempt to intervene in the Taiwan question or interfere in China’s internal affairs will inevitably smash themselves against the Great Wall of steel forged by the People’s Liberation Army and suffer crushing defeat. The historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable, and no one should underestimate our firm resolve, unwavering will, or strong capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. These military actions are directed at “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external interference, and are intended to deter “Taiwan independence” forces from colluding with external powers to bring turmoil to the Taiwan Strait. Their purpose is to fundamentally safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, protect the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, and safeguard the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots. They are by no means targeted at the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots.
He expressed the hope that Taiwan compatriots will clearly recognize the extreme danger and harm of the Lai Ching-te authorities’ “Taiwan independence” separatist path, join in resolutely opposing “Taiwan independence” separatism and foreign interference, firmly safeguard the shared home of the Chinese nation, and work together to create a bright future of national reunification and national rejuvenation.
Two notes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on diplomatic reactions to the Justice Mission 2025 exercises:
China News Service reporter: After China recently took countermeasures and punitive actions on Taiwan-related issues and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army conducted military exercises near the island of Taiwan, many countries—including Russia, Cuba, Serbia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan—have expressed support. What is China’s comment on this?
Lin Jian: Since China announced the relevant countermeasures and carried out the related military exercises, dozens of countries have expressed support for China’s position in various forms. They have pointed out that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, opposed any form of “Taiwan independence,” supported China’s defense of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposed external interference in China’s internal affairs, and stated that they will continue to abide by the one-China principle. We highly appreciate the firm support expressed by these countries for China’s position.
We would like to reiterate that China’s resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity is unwavering; its resolve to defend national reunification and national interests is unwavering; and its resolve to curb “Taiwan independence” separatist forces from colluding with external forces and disrupting peace in the Taiwan Strait is unwavering. Any egregious act that crosses red lines and provokes China on the Taiwan question will be met with resolute countermeasures, and any sinister attempt to obstruct China’s reunification will not succeed.
China Central Television (CCTV) reporter: It is reported that Japan, Australia, EU institutions, and some European countries have publicly expressed concern over China’s military exercises near Taiwan. How does the spokesperson respond?
Lin Jian: These countries and institutions turn a deaf ear to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces seeking independence through force and turn a blind eye to external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs, yet they criticize China’s necessary and just actions to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. They distort facts, confuse right and wrong, and act with blatant hypocrisy. China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations.
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair and brooks no external interference. The biggest reality in the Taiwan Strait is that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Strait comes from “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and the indulgence and support they receive from external forces.
The one-China principle is a broad consensus of the international community and a fundamental norm governing international relations. It is the political foundation for China’s relations with the 183 countries with which it has diplomatic ties. Japan, Australia, and European countries made political commitments to this principle when establishing diplomatic relations with China. We strongly urge the countries and institutions concerned to strictly abide by the one-China principle, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, and stop condoning and supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist activities.
China’s Coast Guard Activity
31 December 2025
An exchange from the Taiwan Affairs Office regarding the China Coast Guard’s execution of law enforcement patrols in the restricted waters surrounding Kinmen:
At the December 31 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked for comment on the mainland Coast Guard once again entering the so-called “restricted waters” near Kinmen to conduct law-enforcement patrols. Taiwan’s maritime patrol authority claimed that “the mainland Coast Guard deliberately formed up to harass vessels, disregarded navigational safety, and created significant navigation risks for passing ships.”
In response, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and that Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu are all parts of China; therefore, there is fundamentally no such thing as so-called “restricted waters.” Claims that the mainland “disregarded the navigational safety of passing vessels” are entirely groundless.
The mainland Coast Guard’s law-enforcement patrols in the relevant waters are carried out in accordance with the law and are precisely intended to maintain normal navigation and operational order in those waters, as well as to safeguard the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Strait.
For a long time, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have ignored the historical and objective facts of fishermen from both sides jointly operating in traditional fishing grounds. Their groundless detentions and even dangerous and rough treatment of mainland fishing vessels and fishermen are the real culprits creating navigation risks for passing ships and seriously threatening the lives and property of fishermen.