Latest PLA drill focused on Penghu, researcher saysBy Aaron Tu and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writerA joint military exercise code-named “Justice Mission 2025” carried out by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in December last year suggested that the PLA was testing year-round operational readiness, appears focused on aggression against Taiwan’s eastern region as well as Penghu, a Taiwanese defense researcher said. First, in the lead-up to the exercise, the PLA for the first time conducted a large-scale encirclement drill around Taiwan in December. The exercise featured ship aircraft coordination, maritime strike missions, long-range assault operations and comprehensive logistical support, Tang said. Drills conducted on Dec. 30 included vertical deployment, elite assault operations, and the seizure and control of key ports, he added. As a result, occupying Penghu would be more feasible for the PLA and would carry significant military value, he added.

Source: Taipei Times February 07, 2026 17:14 UTC