China–Taiwan tensions rise as Lai vows to defend sovereignty after 'Justice Mission 2025' drills
7d
Developing
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China launched large-scale "Justice Mission 2025" drills around Taiwan — framed by Beijing as a "stern warning" over a more than $11 billion U.S. arms sale and recent Japanese remarks — and slapped sanctions on 20 U.S. defense firms and 10 executives. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te vowed in his New Year address to firmly defend sovereignty, strengthen deterrence and boost defense spending (including a special $40 billion 2026–33 arms budget), prompting Beijing to denounce him as a "saboteur" while Xi Jinping reiterated that Taiwan’s eventual annexation is "unstoppable"; U.S. lawmakers have also sparred over whether recent U.S. actions abroad give China rhetorical cover for force.
U.S.–China Relations
Taiwan Arms Sales
U.S. Defense Industry