Editor's note: Zheng Jian, a special commentator for CGTN, is the chair professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University and the deputy director of the Study and Research Committee, China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On December 29, multiple forces of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan Island, a move closely following the Trump administration's announcement of an $11.1 billion "largest-ever" arms sale to China's Taiwan region. Far from a routine transaction, the deal is a "surprise attack" orchestrated through long-standing collusion with the Lai Ching-te authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), exploiting tensions in the Taiwan Straits and the region exacerbated by the inflammatory remarks from Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

On the one hand, the United States seeks to "use Taiwan to contain China," sell weapons and drain the "money bags" of people in Taiwan. On the other hand, Lai aims to "resist China," "rely on the U.S. to seek independence," and "use force to pursue independence," all to consolidate his own and the DPP's grip on power. The two sides are, so to speak, "in sync."

On the island, the 2026 "nine-in-one" elections are approaching, with various factions entering the primary stage within their parties. The 2028 Taiwan regional leadership election is also not far off, and the related political dynamics are gradually heating up.

However, the DPP and Lai are not having an easy time. Recent opinion polls have shown fluctuating support levels and growing public dissatisfaction. Separatist and authoritarian policy moves associated with "Taiwan independence" have failed to pass the legislative body. The "mass recall" campaign ended in complete defeat. Beneath the seemingly "glossy" GDP growth rate lies worsening wealth inequality. On December 19, a deadly knife attack on the streets of Taipei sparked panic across the island. Public resentment has long boiled over, with the anger directly targeting the DPP and Lai.

In this context, the impeachment-related public hearings on Lai, scheduled for January 14 to 15 next year, are bound to become a denunciation rally against Lai and the DPP. In other words, the Lai authorities are already in a precarious state.

Faced with such a lamentable situation, Lai has not engaged in objective and comprehensive reflection or acknowledged his mistakes. Instead, he persists obstinately, shifts the blame to opposition parties and the Chinese mainland and even dismisses residents' requests for greater military assistance after flooding by saying that "not everything can be handled by the military," remarks that were widely criticized as insensitive.

Consequently, someone like Lai has only one path left: "resisting China."

By leveraging this $11.1 billion deal and aligning it with the "Report to Congress on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025," he can exaggerate the so-called mainland threat, create an atmosphere of tension and fear and fabricate the illusion of U.S. support. He can use the "authority" of a big boss to suppress opposition resistance, boast about the alleged "diplomatic relations" with the U.S. to polish his own governance, embolden "Taiwan independence" elements and incite more figures to act arrogantly and stir up trouble.

In doing so, he misleads Taiwan society, making people believe that the DPP and Lai enjoy broad support. Little do they know that the biggest victims of this $11.1 billion deal are precisely the ordinary people of Taiwan.

Their hard-earned money cannot be used to increase wages, improve social security, repair dilapidated infrastructure, help small and medium-sized enterprises, overcome difficulties, compensate victims of telecom fraud, or address electricity and water supply issues. Instead, it is handed over to U.S. arms dealers.

It cannot be used to strengthen public safety in Taiwan, empower the police to protect the people with greater dignity and effectiveness, or prevent a recurrence of tragedies like the Taipei knife attack. Instead, it buys more flashy but useless American weapons. It cannot be used to safeguard a peaceful and stable life but instead sends more loved ones and children to the military and onto the battlefield.

No external arms purchase can buy an "umbrella of independence"; it can only inspire the Chinese people with a stronger resolve to oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification. Each provocation by "Taiwan independence" forces will be met with intensified countermeasures, step by step, until complete reunification is achieved.

It must be pointed out that no amount of arms orders can bring regional peace and stability, or save the doomed fate of "Taiwan independence" forces. In the coming year, China will continue to combat "Taiwan independence" forces and promote reunification, advancing resolutely toward complete national reunification.

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