Lai Ching-te

Force in Play

Leading Taiwan's response to unprecedented military pressure

On December 29-30, 2025, China executed its largest military drills around Taiwan to date, called Operation 'Justice Mission 2025,' deploying 130 aircraft, 22 warships, and live-fire exercises across seven zones encircling the island. Over two days, fighter jets crossed the median line, naval vessels simulated port blockades at Keelung and Kaohsiung, and PLA ground forces conducted coordinated long-range strikes both north and south of Taiwan. The drills escalated on December 30 with 10 hours of live-fire activities in designated 'temporary danger zones,' forcing cancellation of 76 domestic flights and delays to 300+ international flights affecting over 106,000 passengers. China framed the exercises as dual punishment: for the record $11 billion U.S. arms package announced December 17, and for Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi's warning that Tokyo could intervene militarily if Beijing blockades Taiwan.

Updated May 16

Force in Play

Pushing a multi-year defense budget increase while seeking faster U.S. arms deliveries

The record Taiwan arms tranche (about $11.1B across eight DSCA notifications) is now in the congressional review lane. Taiwan's Defense Ministry and presidential office emphasized the buys are contingent on legislative funding. Local reporting shows five of eight cases sit in a pending NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget — meaning the political fight in Taipei throttles how fast the package moves from 'possible sale' to signed LOAs.

Updated May 15

Force in Play

Welcoming closer Japan ties and Japanese lawmaker visits while facing Chinese pressure around Taiwan

What began with Chinese carrier fighters lighting up Japanese jets with radar near Okinawa has mushroomed into a full-spectrum crisis. After China and Russia sent bombers circling Japan, the US flew B-52s with Japanese fighters over the Sea of Japan.

Updated May 11

Force in Play

Using the crisis to argue China is destabilizing the region while urging restraint.

Chinese J-15 jets from the carrier Liaoning repeatedly locked targeting radar onto Japanese F-15s near Okinawa on December 6, forcing Japan to scramble jets and file an emergency protest. Days later, Washington publicly accused Beijing of destabilizing behavior and vowed its commitment to Japan was "unwavering."

Updated May 10

Force in Play

Key stakeholder whose security posture shapes China–Japan–U.S. calculations

In early December 2025, China's Liaoning carrier strike group sailed through waters near Japan's southwest island chain and into the western Pacific. Over two days, between Okinawa's main island and Minamidaito and then east of Kikai Island, it conducted roughly 100 take-offs and landings of J-15 fighters and helicopters.

Updated May 10