// Global Analysis Archive
China’s PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted Dec. 29–30 drills near Taiwan that Taiwanese officials and analysts described as unusually close and among the largest in several years, emphasizing simulated route-blocking operations. The episode highlights intensifying deterrence competition with the United States while leaving open questions about the PLA’s ability to sustain a prolonged blockade under contested conditions.
Two days of PLA drills on Dec. 29–30 operated closer to Taiwan’s coast and were assessed by analysts in the source as the largest since 2022, with activity consistent with rehearsing blockade-relevant tasks. The episode also highlighted immediate coercive effects through civilian route disruption while leaving open questions about the PLA’s ability to sustain a prolonged blockade under contested conditions.
PLA Eastern Theater Command drills on Dec. 29–30 operated unusually close to Taiwan’s coast and emphasized simulated blockage of key air and sea routes, according to the source. Analysts cited highlight both the coercive signaling value and the unresolved question of whether the PLA could sustain a prolonged blockade under contested conditions.
China’s PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted Dec. 29–30 drills near Taiwan that Taiwanese officials and analysts described as unusually close and among the largest in several years, emphasizing simulated route-blocking operations. The episode highlights intensifying deterrence competition with the United States while leaving open questions about the PLA’s ability to sustain a prolonged blockade under contested conditions.
Two days of PLA drills on Dec. 29–30 operated closer to Taiwan’s coast and were assessed by analysts in the source as the largest since 2022, with activity consistent with rehearsing blockade-relevant tasks. The episode also highlighted immediate coercive effects through civilian route disruption while leaving open questions about the PLA’s ability to sustain a prolonged blockade under contested conditions.
PLA Eastern Theater Command drills on Dec. 29–30 operated unusually close to Taiwan’s coast and emphasized simulated blockage of key air and sea routes, according to the source. Analysts cited highlight both the coercive signaling value and the unresolved question of whether the PLA could sustain a prolonged blockade under contested conditions.
| ID | Title | Category | Date | Views | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPT-1246 | PLA ‘Justice Mission 2025’ Drills Near Taiwan Signal Blockade Rehearsal and External Deterrence | Taiwan Strait | 2026-02-17 | 0 | ACCESS » |
| RPT-512 | PLA ‘Justice Mission 2025’ Drills Near Taiwan Signal Blockade Rehearsal and Deterrence Messaging | Taiwan Strait | 2026-02-01 | 0 | ACCESS » |
| RPT-1330 | PLA ‘Justice Mission 2025’ Drills Near Taiwan Signal Blockade Rehearsal and Deterrence Messaging | Taiwan Strait | 2025-10-02 | 0 | ACCESS » |