Rising Tensions: China's Military Drills and Export Bans Targeting Taiwan and Japan

In early January 2026, Taiwan's National Security Bureau reported that China's recent military exercises, dubbed "Justice Mission 2025," were aimed at countering increasing international support for Taiwan and diverting attention from domestic economic issues. These drills involved the firing of dozens of rockets and the deployment of warships and aircraft near Taiwan, leading to the cancellation of numerous domestic flights and raising concerns among regional allies and Western nations. The exercises were characterized as China's most extensive war games to date, demonstrating a clear political intent to challenge democratic partners' support for Taiwan.

Taiwan Says China’s War Games Aimed to Undermine Global SupportTRT WorldThe Straits TimesReutersABC NewsChina Bans Exports of Dual-Use Goods to Japan Amid Taiwan Tensions

The report indicated that China is employing a hybrid strategy, combining military maneuvers with cyber and information campaigns to undermine Taiwan's military credibility and sow doubt about its leadership. During the drills, Taiwan experienced over two million cyberattacks, attributed to hacking groups linked to the People's Liberation Army, which aimed to disrupt Taiwan's cybersecurity and public morale.

The Straits TimesTaiwan Says China’s War Games Aimed to Undermine Global SupportTRT WorldReutersFox News (website)

The tensions escalated further when Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan, potentially justifying military intervention. In response, China imposed a ban on the export of dual-use items—goods that can serve both civilian and military purposes—to Japan. This ban, effective immediately, targets items that could enhance Japan's military capabilities, including certain rare earth elements critical for defense technology.

China Bans Exports of Military-Use Items to Japan Amid Taiwan TensionsThe Straits TimesChina Bans Exports of Dual-Use Goods to Japan Amid Taiwan TensionsNikkei Asian ReviewReutersCityLabUnited Press International (UPI)

Japan's government condemned the ban as "absolutely unacceptable" and protested against what it viewed as an unjustified measure that deviates from international norms. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that such actions would not deter Japan from maintaining its defense posture and commitment to regional stability.

Al Jazeera (website)

Taiwan's government has strongly objected to China's sovereignty claims, asserting that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future. The Taiwanese Mainland Affairs Council criticized China's actions as attempts to intimidate and coerce the Taiwanese populace into abandoning their democratic freedoms. Similarly, Japan's officials have expressed concerns that China's export restrictions are part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on Tokyo amid rising military tensions.

TRT WorldThe Straits TimesReutersAl Jazeera (website)Taiwan Says China’s War Games Aimed to Undermine Global SupportChina Bans Exports of Dual-Use Goods to Japan Amid Taiwan Tensions

China's Ministry of Commerce framed the export ban as a necessary measure to safeguard national security, citing Japan's "erroneous" remarks regarding Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan's National Security Bureau highlighted the drills' intent to redirect public anger over domestic issues into nationalist sentiment, framing the situation as a struggle against external interference.

TRT World

As tensions continue to rise, both Taiwan and Japan are likely to reassess their security strategies in light of China's military posturing and economic pressures. The international community, particularly the United States and its allies, is closely monitoring the situation, as the implications of these developments extend beyond regional stability to global geopolitical dynamics.

Taiwan Says China’s War Games Aimed to Undermine Global Support

• “The Taiwan-focused drills carried clear political intent: to push back in the international arena against democratic partners’ support for Taiwan,” — Taiwan's National Security Bureau

The Straits Times

• “Threats and intimidation will never shake the resolve of the Taiwanese people to uphold democracy and freedom,” — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council

Reuters

• “Japan’s leader recently made erroneous remarks on Taiwan, hinting at the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait,” — Chinese Ministry of Commerce

CityLab

This evolving situation underscores the complexities of cross-strait relations and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region.

China escalated tensions with Japan, bans exports of goods with potential military uses