TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) reiterated the CCP’s claims over Taiwan in a televised speech on Monday.
Xi said: “People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family; no one can sever our blood ties, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification.” His remarks come as China ramps up military activities and gray zone tactics near Taiwan.
The Chinese military carried out three large-scale exercises last year. Days after Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) inauguration in May, it launched the two-day Joint Sword A exercise around Taiwan, including its outlying islands.
China’s Eastern Theater Command Spokesperson Li Xi (李熹) called the drills “a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a serious warning against interference and provocation by external forces.”
In October, China carried out the Joint Sword-2024B days after Taiwan’s National Day celebrations. China’s Eastern Theater Command claimed the exercises were a “legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity.”
China deployed its largest fleet in years near Taiwan and neighboring countries in December, for drills. Approximately 90 navy and coast guard vessels operated in the region as a response to Lai’s trip to South Pacific allies, which included layovers in Hawaii and Guam.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry Spokesperson Sun Li-fang (孫立方) said the scale of the deployment, ranging from Japan's southern islands to the South China Sea was the largest “compared to the previous four” and posed a significant threat.
Additionally, 2,866 Chinese aircraft entered Taiwan’s ADIZ between January and November last year, according to data compiled by ChinaPower. The escalating tensions in the region prompted Taiwan to boost its 2025 defense budget to NT$647 billion (US$19.7 billion), representing a 7.7% year-on-year increase.
In his New Year’s Day address on Wednesday, Lai underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
“Taiwan must remain vigilant, increase its defense budget, strengthen its military capabilities, and demonstrate its resolve to protect the nation,” he said.