Xi Jinping's New Year's Address Reaffirms Taiwan Stance, Highlights Tech Gains Amid Drills

Xi Reiterates Commitment to Taiwan Reunification

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his New Year's Eve address delivered on December 31, 2025, firmly reiterated Beijing's long-standing commitment to annexing Taiwan. Speaking a day after the conclusion of intense military drills around the self-governed island, Xi declared, 'The reunification of our motherland, a trend of the times, is unstoppable.' He further emphasized a shared heritage, stating, 'We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a bond of blood and kinship.'

The address underscored China's consistent position that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, with Beijing reserving the right to use force if peaceful reunification is not possible. This strong rhetoric follows a period of heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Technological Progress and Self-Reliance

Beyond geopolitical statements, President Xi also highlighted China's significant strides in technological innovation. He praised the nation's progress in key sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, noting that 'We sought to energize high-quality development through innovation.'

Xi's speech showcased various advancements, including:

• Breakthroughs in large AI models and proprietary chip research and development.
• Progress in military technology and space exploration.
• Development in humanoid robots and drone technology.
• The launch of the Tianwen-2 space probe and the commissioning of China's first aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapult system.

The President stressed the importance of accelerating self-reliance in science and technology, particularly in response to increasing controls on high-tech items imposed by the United States. He also noted that China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is on track to reach 140 trillion yuan ($20 trillion) in 2025.

Recent Military Drills Escalate Tensions

The New Year's Eve address was delivered shortly after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) concluded two days of large-scale military drills around Taiwan, code-named 'Justice Mission 2025'. These exercises, which included live-fire components, simulated a blockade of major Taiwanese ports, attacks on maritime targets, and responses to international 'interference'.

During the drills, China deployed rockets, over 200 warplanes, and numerous warships, with some maneuvers occurring closer to Taiwan's shores than in previous exercises. Taiwan's authorities reported detecting 27 missiles fired, with several landing within 27 nautical miles of its coastline. The drills significantly disrupted air travel, affecting over 100,000 passengers and 850 flights.

Beijing stated that the drills served as a 'stern warning' against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external intervention, specifically in response to a planned US arms sale to Taiwan valued at $11.1 billion. In response, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te condemned the drills and vowed to resist China's 'expansionist ambitions', while Taiwan's Defense Ministry initiated rapid response exercises.