China announces it has ‘successfully completed’ military exercises near Taiwan

People use smartphones to film a large screen at a shopping centre showing Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering his new year message in Beijing (Andy Wong/AP)

China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it has “successfully completed” two days of military exercises in the waters off Taiwan.

The high-powered manoeuvres were aimed at asserting its sovereignty over the island – actions that increased tensions in East Asia during the last days of 2025.