Today, December 29 2025, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army kicked off 'Justice Mission 2025' drills around Taiwan Island. The move follows the U.S. announcement of an $11.1B arms sale to the Taiwan regionits biggest ever. 🔥
Washington says the weapons are about security and stability, but critics argue it's a high-stakes geopolitical poker game. By arming the Taiwan region, the U.S. flexes its strategy to contain the Chinese mainland across the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific. 🎲
In early December, the White House released the National Security Strategy 2025, warning against any nation dominating global interests. Then on December 18, President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, boosting defense spending to $901B and earmarking up to $1B for Taiwan-related security cooperation in 2026.
Just days ago, on December 23, the Pentagon's 'Report to Congress on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025' painted a picture of a rising threat, claiming China could 'fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027'. By hyping this narrative, Washington feeds the justification to keep Taiwan armed like a 'porcupine' aimed at the Chinese mainland. 🦔
Beyond politics, there's big money involved. The U.S. is the world's top arms exporterrecording $318.7B in sales in 2024, a 29% jump from 2023. Through its military-industrial complex of contractors, lobbyists and politicians, defense deals fuel massive profits by stoking conflicts around the globe. 💼💵
On the other side, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te is gearing up to raise the island’s defense budget to over 3.3% of GDP next year—and even 5% by 2030. While touted as strengthening security, pouring billions into arms could squeeze social services and economic growth for residents of Taiwan.
Plugging the Taiwan region into U.S. strategic games and profit chains risks more than just crossed weapons—it risks real tensions in the Taiwan Strait and beyond. As 'Justice Mission 2025' drills continue, today's arms sale may warm more than winter waters around the island… 🌊🛡️
Reference(s):
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan: A geopolitical and economic gamble
cgtn.com
