Lai condemns China’s ‘irresponsible’ drillsBy Fion Khan / Staff writer, with CNA and ReutersChina's recent escalation of military pressure is not the behavior of a responsible major power while Taiwan would not escalate conflicts or provoke disputes, President William Lai (賴清德) said today. President William Lai is pictured in an undated photograph. "Because of your round-the-clock protection, the public can continue their daily lives and move forward with peace of mind," he said. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) yesterday launched a military exercise named “Justice Mission 2025” encircling Taiwan, including live-fire drills scheduled from 8am to 6pm today in five sea and air zones around Taiwan. The drill was meant to serve as a “stern warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces” and “external interference forces,” the PLA said yesterday.

Source: Taipei Times December 30, 2025 06:10 UTC