Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that Taiwan's "reunification" with the mainland is "unstoppable" in his New Year message, following large-scale military exercises around the island. Taiwan, which remains on heightened alert, condemned the drills as a threat to regional security. While Chinese naval and coast guard vessels have reportedly begun withdrawing from waters near Taiwan, the exercises involved rocket firings and extensive deployments, prompting Taipei to scramble jets and warships.