In a surprising declaration, Donald Trump expressed that he is unfazed by China's recent military exercises surrounding Taiwan, asserting that he maintains a strong rapport with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who "hasn’t communicated anything about it to me."
These remarks came just a day after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) initiated a series of live-fire drills, which continued into their second day on Tuesday, featuring missile launches in the Taiwan Strait. The PLA, the military branch of China's ruling Communist Party, reported that it had deployed an impressive array of naval destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles positioned near Taiwan. Their stated aim was to evaluate "sea-air coordination and precise targeting capabilities," focusing on neutralizing submarines and other maritime threats.
China has long asserted that Taiwan is a province of China and is preparing for a potential military annexation, with U.S. intelligence suggesting that Beijing aims to be ready for an invasion by 2027. In the interim, China employs various military and non-military tactics to intimidate Taiwan, pressuring it into accepting what it terms "peaceful reunification."
Taiwan's defense ministry reported that within just 24 hours leading up to Tuesday morning, it observed a substantial presence of Chinese military assets, including 14 naval vessels, 14 coast guard ships, one surveillance balloon, and approximately 130 aircraft and drones in proximity to Taiwan, as part of what China has labeled "Justice Mission 2025."
When questioned about the drills, Trump maintained, "I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn’t told me anything about it." He added, "I certainly have seen it… I don’t believe he is going to be doing it," seemingly addressing the prospect of a real invasion. "Nothing worries me."
The United States stands as Taiwan's most significant ally in its resistance against Beijing’s annexation ambitions. However, Trump’s stance on this issue has shown inconsistency, especially during his second term. In an October meeting with Xi, he noted that Taiwan "didn’t come up" in their discussions and is expected to visit Beijing next year for a more formal engagement.
On Tuesday morning, live rockets were launched from Pingtan, a coastal area in China closest to Taiwan. Shortly thereafter, the PLA issued a statement confirming that at 9:00 AM on December 30, ground forces from the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted long-range live-fire exercises in the waters north of the island, achieving their intended objectives.
Taiwan's defense ministry reported that the impact zones from these drills were scattered around the island’s 24 nautical mile zone. Defense Minister Wellington Koo criticized the drills, stating they blatantly disregard international standards and are clearly aimed at undermining Taiwan's combat readiness while fostering division and conflict within Taiwanese society.
Chinese state media have emphasized that these military maneuvers were focused on simulating a blockade of Taiwan's major ports and countering "external foreign interference." An anticipated assault on Taiwan by Beijing is widely believed to provoke a response from the U.S., as well as potentially draw in Japan, especially given recent provocative statements from Japan’s prime minister, which have angered Beijing.
This week's exercises mark the sixth and largest set of drills targeting Taiwan since 2022, following significant military responses to Nancy Pelosi's visit, then the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. While such exercises require extensive preparation and are usually part of routine training, the PLA frequently ties them to perceived provocations. Notably, this week’s drills were explicitly linked to the U.S. government's recent approval of a record $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
In a speech in Beijing, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi asserted, "In response to the continuous provocations by pro-independence forces in Taiwan and the large-scale U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, we must of course resolutely oppose and forcefully counter them."
An editorial from Xinhua, the official state news outlet, stated that these military exercises serve as a "clear reminder for the DPP" (Democratic Progressive Party) that the movement towards national reunification cannot be halted and that the will of the people must be respected. It warned that the DPP's attempts to pursue "Taiwan independence" with U.S. support would only escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, pushing residents toward potential conflict.
Nevertheless, in Taiwan, where the overwhelming majority of citizens oppose any form of Chinese rule and favor maintaining the status quo, it's clear that many see China as the aggressor. On Tuesday, President Lai Ching-te remarked that China's actions do not reflect the behavior of a responsible global power, reaffirming Taiwan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
"We will act responsibly and not escalate conflict or stir up disputes," he stated.
