Taipei: As Beijing began a new round of military exercises around Taiwan on Monday, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) condemned each other's approach toward the People's Republic of China (PRC). The PRC's People's Liberation Army (PLA) announced the exercises, code-named "Justice Mission 2025," in the Taiwan Strait and waters to Taiwan's north, southwest, southeast, and east. The PLA also declared it would conduct live-fire drills on Tuesday in five designated maritime and airspace zones around Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, the exercises were among the largest targeting Taiwan this year, leading to intense criticism between the DPP and KMT. DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng criticized KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen for prioritizing a visit to Beijing and describing a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as strategically significant. Wu argued that Cheng's remarks showed the KMT favored Beijing at the expense of Taiwan's security and dignity. He further stated that the timing of the exercises, shortly after the Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum, contradicted the KMT's claims that cross-strait exchanges eased tensions.

In response, Cheng asserted that the DPP government's policies were responsible for China's military pressure. She accused President Lai Ching-te of adopting a confrontational stance, increasing security risks and international concern. Cheng also argued that the KMT did not anticipate Beijing halting military preparations based on opposition party appeals and criticized Lai for provoking confrontation while expecting opposition parties to maintain potential for cross-strait peace.

Cheng further questioned the government's defense strategies, citing shortages of professional soldiers and resistance to improving pay and conditions for troops as undermining efforts to build resilience. Meanwhile, Huang Kuo-chang, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, condemned the drills, stating they would not promote cross-strait peace or regional stability and would instead escalate tensions. The TPP urged Beijing to halt actions undermining stability in the Taiwan Strait and called for responsible actions to maintain regional peace.