Taiwan Detects Record 130 Chinese Military Aircraft in Second-Largest Incursion During "Justice Mission 2025" Drills

TAIWAN - Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 130 Chinese military aircraft on December 30 (December 29 UTC), marking the second-largest daily incursion after 153 in October 2024, with 90 crossing the median line into northern, central, southwestern, and eastern sectors of the Air Defense Identification Zone.

The all-time high remains 153 detected on October 14, 2024, during previous drills. This surge occurred amid China's "Justice Mission 2025" exercises, which entered their second day with live-fire activities from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time (12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. UTC) across expanded zones, including two additional unannounced areas.

The drills involved army, navy, air force, rocket force, and coast guard units, simulating port blockades and precision strikes, positioned by China as a deterrent against Taiwan independence and external interference following U.S. arms approvals. Close encounters between Taiwanese and Chinese coast guard vessels highlighted tensions, with Taiwan maintaining high alert status and conducting patrols.

The operations demonstrated advanced capabilities, testing multi-domain dominance, according to announcements from China's Eastern Theatre Command. Propaganda elements, such as China's Coast Guard posters titled "Choke-hold" and "Hammer of Justice: Seal the Ports, Cut the Lines," emphasized blockade themes. Disruptions affected over 850 flight routes and maritime lanes. Regional stakeholders monitored closely, underscoring implications for Indo-Pacific security. On December 30, China's Maritime Safety Administration issued two additional warning zones for live-fire drills, visualized as zones 6 and 7, focusing north and south of Taiwan.

Taiwan's Coast Guard reported close encounters, with vessels like the "Taoyuan" conducting 24-hour patrols to intercept and expel Chinese ships. Footage showed Taiwanese forces mobilizing, including Hsiung Feng missiles and Mirage jets, in rapid response exercises.

The People's Liberation Army continued maneuvers, with 14 navy vessels, 8 official ships, and a Type 075 amphibious assault ship detected southeast of Taiwan. A balloon was spotted northwest of Keelung at 29,000 feet from 3:30 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. local time (7:30 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. UTC) on December 29, which later disappeared. No escalations beyond simulations were noted, but the scale demonstrated blockade potential.

Taiwan established an emergency center and deployed CM-11 tanks and jets on alert. The Coast Guard implemented shadowing and expulsion measures. Authorities characterized the actions as provocative, emphasizing self-determination principles.

The exercises followed U.S. approval of an $11 billion arms package, encompassing systems like HIMARS and drones. Japan's Prime Minister indicated a Taiwan conflict as an existential concern, suggesting potential collective defense involvement. Broader security dynamics in the region are affected.