China's recent military drill around Taiwan served as a demonstration of its resolve to respond forcefully to perceived challenges to its sovereignty, according to Wen-Ti Sung of the Atlantic Council Global China Hub. The drill, conducted in late December 2025, was interpreted as a warning against international support for Taiwan and a signal of China's willingness to use military displays to assert its claims.

Sung explained that China frequently employs military drills as a tool to communicate its displeasure and deter actions it views as undermining its territorial integrity. These exercises are not merely symbolic; they represent a tangible threat and a calculated effort to influence the behavior of both Taiwan and its international partners. The drills involved naval vessels and aircraft operating in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding airspace.

The concept of using military exercises as a form of signaling is rooted in game theory, a branch of mathematics and economics that analyzes strategic interactions. In this context, China's actions can be seen as an attempt to shape the expectations of other actors and influence their decisions. AI plays a role in analyzing these strategic interactions, with algorithms used to model potential responses and predict the outcomes of different courses of action. These models, however, are only as good as the data they are trained on, and can be limited by biases or incomplete information.

The implications of China's assertive stance extend beyond the immediate region. Increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait could disrupt global trade and supply chains, given Taiwan's crucial role in the production of semiconductors. Furthermore, the use of AI in military planning and analysis raises concerns about the potential for miscalculation or escalation. As AI systems become more sophisticated, it is crucial to ensure that they are used responsibly and ethically, with human oversight to prevent unintended consequences.

The international community has responded to China's actions with a mix of condemnation and calls for restraint. Some countries have expressed solidarity with Taiwan, while others have emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the region. The United States, in particular, has reiterated its commitment to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself, although it maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding whether it would intervene militarily in the event of an attack.

As of December 30, 2025, the situation in the Taiwan Strait remained tense. Further military exercises or diplomatic initiatives could be expected in the coming months, as China continues to assert its claims and Taiwan seeks to maintain its autonomy. The role of AI in analyzing and responding to these developments will likely continue to grow, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the ethical and strategic implications of this technology.