PPA awards contract to expand Bohol port

January 1, 2026 | 7:25 pm

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it awarded the P501.95-million Getafe Port Expansion project in Bohol to BNR Construction and Development Corp.

The regulator awarded the contract to the Mandaue-based construction company, which submitted the low bid among 11 contenders, PPA said in a notice of award dated Dec. 18.

BNR Construction will have 660 calendar days to complete the project, the PPA said. The project includes construction of the port operational area.

Getafe port in northern Bohol is opposite Cebu City on the Cebu Strait.

In 2024, the PPA said it earmarked up to P16 billion for infrastructure projects until 2028. The funds will be allocated for enhancing port efficiency and capacity, including 14 big-ticket projects targeted for completion within the period.

The PPA said cargo and passenger traffic last year have been stronger than expected, with targets expected to be exceeded due to the demand peak in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The regulator had targeted cargo throughput of 301.47 million metric tons, while container volume is anticipated to top eight million twenty-foot equivalent units. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Asian airlines seen leading industry’s growth in 2026

January 1, 2026 | 7:25 pm

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects the airline industry, particularly in Asia, to sustain growth in 2026, driven by strong demand across both passenger and cargo segments.

“The air transport industry continues to demonstrate resilience amid persistent non-fuel cost pressures and operational constraints,” IATA said in a report.

The airline trade association projects stronger revenue growth in 2026, as carriers adapt to softer yields by expanding ancillary services and sustaining high load factors through efficient fleet utilization.

“Cost discipline is central to sustaining profitability in this low-margin business. While fuel prices have stabilized, non-fuel costs, particularly labor and maintenance, are rising due to pilot shortages, wage inflation, and aging fleets,” IATA said.

Airlines in the Philippines continue to recover, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said, noting higher domestic passenger tariffs even with foreign tourist arrivals yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Passenger fuel surcharges have remained steady, with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) maintaining the surcharge at Level 4 for the sixth month in January.

Jet fuel prices declined 3.8% to $86.73 per barrel for the week ending Dec. 26; on a year-on-year basis, the global average jet fuel price dropped 12.4%.

IATA projects the Asia-Pacific to lead global growth, as regional airlines report rising passenger traffic. For the nine months ending September, the CAB said air passenger volume rose 6.247% to 46.84 million driven by growth in domestic passenger traffic.

Domestic passenger volume was 24.95 million, up 5.36% from a year earlier. International passengers were up 7.25% at 21.89 million.

PAL Holdings, Inc., the operator of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, reported a rise in attributable net income of 33.58% to P9.03 billion for the first nine months, supported by passenger revenue of P116.56 billion, up from P115.66 billion.

Cargo and ancillary revenue contributed P6.71 billion and P12.67 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, Cebu Air, Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, recorded an attributable net income of P5.03 billion for the nine months, reversing a net loss of P12.05 billion a year earlier.

Consolidated revenue for the period climbed 78.3% to P66.90 billion.

Passenger revenue for the first nine months rose to P46.13 billion, more than double the P22.48 billion previously. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

PHL food service sales seen rising 10% this year

January 1, 2026 | 7:24 pm

dining-restaurant — CUSTOMERS eat at a restaurant in a mall in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

FOOD SERVICE sales in the Philippines are projected to increase 10% in 2026 to $15.4 billion, building on the sector’s recovery to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In a report, the USDA said food service revenue in 2025 was estimated to have risen 8% to $14 billion from $13 billion in 2024. If realized, this would bring industry sales back to the levels recorded in 2019, before the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

For 2026, sales of full-service restaurants are projected to increase 3.23% to $2.18 billion.

The projected growth in full-service restaurant sales is attributed to the arrival of new international entrants, the development of innovative restaurant concepts, and increasing consumer demand for unique dining experiences.

The sales of limited-service restaurants are also projected to rise 10.23% to $9.52 billion this year.

According to the USDA, chicken-focused chains are driving growth in the limited-service sector. Asian, including Filipino, limited-service restaurants, as well as bakery, burger, and convenience store formats, are also showing strong performance.

The sales of street stalls and kiosks are also expected to grow 4.68% to $1.97 billion this year.

“Fueled by strong demand for quick, affordable food and beverage options, the enduring popularity of milk tea and grab-and-go coffee kiosks, and the widespread adoption of franchising models enable rapid expansion,” the USDA said.

Sales of cafés and bars are projected to rise 7.13% to $1.74 billion this year. If realized, this would represent a rebound from the 5.9% decline in sales last year.

According to the USDA, growth in the café and bar sector is driven by rising consumer mobility, the popularity of specialty coffee and tea shops, and the rising demand for innovative beverages and café experiences. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Raising quality of labor-intensive jobs in services seen as key to growth, equity

January 1, 2026 | 7:23 pm

grocery-supermarket-110519 — PHOTO BY BERNARD HERMANT

THE Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said the government needs to channel its support to raising the quality of labor-intensive service jobs in retail, transport and hospitality to spur growth and improve equity.

In a Dec. 23 report, the government think tank said services, the largest contributor to gross domestic product and employment, have expanded mainly through subsectors with low productivity and wages.

“Enhancing productivity in labor-absorbing services is an essential priority for both growth and equity,” PIDS said.

The services sector expanded by 5.5% in the third quarter, against 6.3% a year earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Wholesale and retail trade, transport and storage, accommodation and food services, and other low-productivity industries account for 73.6% of total services employment.

These subsectors are dominated by low- to medium-skilled jobs and pay below-average wages, it added.

PIDS also noted that 68% of female workers are in services, especially in the wholesale and retail trades, accommodation and food service activities.

“Improving the productivity of these sectors while ensuring women benefit from, rather than are disadvantaged by, productivity gains is essential to closing the gender gap,” it added.

“Services that are not necessarily big employers, but have high forward linkages, especially to the manufacturing sector, should also be a focus of policy reforms, as productivity improvements in these subsectors have positive spillover effects to the rest of the economy,” PIDS said.

In addition, the think tank said companies can lift productivity by improving management practices, investing in innovation, upgrading workforce skills and adopting new technologies.

Broader structural reforms, though outside the control of individual firms, are needed to create an operating environment that supports sector-wide upgrading, it said.

“A strategic framework that integrates key policy areas — labor market, enterprise and industry development, technology, innovation, and structural reform — can help maximize the impact of public interventions towards increasing productivity in services,” it said.

To address these challenges, PIDS said the government should use a Theory of Change framework to map how labor productivity in services can be improved.

This approach would guide the design and implementation of specific interventions.

“A logic model, such as a theory of change, provides the government a strategic framework to more effectively identify pathways to connect interventions to desired outcomes, rationalize its investments to assist firms and workers, and adopt appropriate policy levers,” PIDS said.

The paper “Increasing Labor Productivity in the Services Sector: Towards a Theory of Change and Some Design Options” was written by Ramonette B. Serafica, Queen Cel A. Oren, Emmanuel F. Esguerra, and Aniceto C. Orbeta, Jr. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

PCC opens online reporting system to boost antitrust enforcement

January 1, 2026 | 7:23 pm

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said it has opened its case reporting system to the public, allowing individuals and businesses to submit reports of suspected anti-competitive conduct directly through its website.

In a statement, the PCC said the online platform, which opened to the public in December, allows users to file complaints and securely upload supporting documents without staff-assisted processing.

Developed with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the system was unveiled in April last year to replace a multi-step process that required users to request access and wait for staff assistance before submitting reports.

PCC Chairman Michael G. Aguinaldo said the platform is intended to encourage public participation in competition enforcement by making reporting more accessible and secure.

“This system empowers the public to take part in safeguarding competition. By making reporting faster, simpler, and more secure, we are strengthening our collective effort to ensure fair markets for all,” Mr. Aguinaldo said in a statement.

The PCC enforces Republic Act No. 10667, or the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, and mergers and acquisitions that substantially lessen competition.

The commission said opening the system to the public is expected to improve the detection of potential violations while reducing administrative barriers for complainants. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Choco Mucho signs up Eya Laure

January 1, 2026 | 7:06 pm

THE CHOCO MUCHO Flying Titans have caught one of the biggest, if not the biggest, fish in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) pool — Eya Laure.

Ms. Laure officially signed with the Flying Titans right on the break of dawn on Thursday to usher in 2026, a year after parting ways with her former team, the disbanded Chery Tiggo.

The power-hitting Alas Pilipinas standout was acquired along with Jaila Atienza, setter Alina Bicar and Choco Mucho returnee Caitlin Viray that highlighted the popular club’s complete rebuild.

“A new era begins,” said the team on its social media account.

Choco Mucho is also expecting the return of its most dangerous weapon in Sisi Rondina, who took a leave and won the beach volley gold in the Southeast Asian Games a month ago in Thailand.

The four, along with Ms. Rondina, will join an already loaded roster headed by Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino, Des Cheng, Isa Molde, Deanna Wong and Tia Andaya.

Their arrival came after letting go of Royse Tubino, Bia General, Cherry Nunag and Aduke Agunsanya.

The retooled lineup should boost Choco Mucho’s stock as it aims to bounce back from a pair of forgettable performances — 10^th in the PVL on Tour and ninth in the Reinforced. — Joey Villar

Sister teams set to clash in either bracket of PBA semis

January 1, 2026 | 7:05 pm

SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN — FACEBOOK.COM/PBAOFFICIAL

THE CHASE for the coveted Philippine Cup title in the PBA’s golden season is down to four.

And all that’s left are heavyweights that have taken turns ruling the centerpiece competition in the last five years.

On one side, it’s San Miguel Beermen (SMB), the defending champion and also the winner in 2022, taking on Barangay Ginebra, the kings of the 2020 All-Filipino.

On the other, it’s TNT, the 2021 rulers and runners-up in Season 49, and Meralco, the 2023 titlists.

It’s a pair of explosive best-of-seven affairs beginning on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, pitting sister teams but fierce rivals from the MVP Group on one hand and sibling rivals from San Miguel Corp. on the other.

The Final Four also features a squad that made the most of its win-once advantage in the quarterfinals against an opponent that pulled off a twice-to-win reversal to get to this stage — No. 1 SMB versus No. 5 Ginebra and No. 3 TNT against No. 7 Meralco.

“In front of us is TNT. You know they’ve had their number quite a lot last year, they’ve won two championships (Season 49 Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup), very solid. It’s going to be a battle for us,” said Bolts coach Luigi Trillo after forging a date with the Tropang 5G with a 98-89 win over No. 2 Rain or Shine in the quarterfinal sudden death.

“And I think this is what they (players) want, they want to go through the best. So ngayon andun ’yung TNT. And I feel it’s also going to be a good series on the other side, ’yung Ginebra-San Miguel,” he added.

The Gin Kings took virtually the same path as the Bolts, beating No. 4 Converge a second time, 99-98 in overtime on Stephen Holt’s buzzer-beating winner from three-point arc, to advance.

Revenge may well be added motivation for the crowd darlings with their 4-3 loss to SMB in the same stage last season still fresh.

“We know them. They know us. And we took them to seven games last time. We’re going to try to flip the script this time around,” said Ginebra mentor Tim Cone. — Olmin Leyba

Wembanyama downplays knee injury

January 1, 2026 | 7:05 pm

SAN ANTONIO star center Victor Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee in the Spurs’ home victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday, but he doesn’t expect to miss any additional time.

Wembanyama came down awkwardly with 10:32 to play in the game as he attempted to secure an offensive rebound. He stayed down until teammate Stephon Castle helped him up, then hobbled straight to the locker room while giving fans reassurance and saying, “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

He later came back to the bench but didn’t return to action.

After the Spurs rallied for a 134-132 win, Wembanyama said he would have tests done on Thursday, but, “I expect to be back the next game.”

He added, according to ESPN, “I was confident. I was this close to coming back in the game. (They) had to hold me back. It was just a hyperextension, so it should be minimal. We’ve got to do everything tomorrow still to check that everything’s OK.”

San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said following the game, “I have no idea what to say, but it was good to see him walk back out and be able to finish the game on the bench with his teammates.”

Wembanyama amassed 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes before leaving the game with the Spurs down, 102-96.

In 21 games this season, Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He was sidelined for 12 games from Nov. 16-Dec. 10 due to a left calf strain. Upon his return, he spent six games coming off the bench on a minutes restriction before rejoining the starting lineup last weekend. — Field Level Media via Reuters

Tiger Woods turns 50 with questions hanging over his competitive future

January 1, 2026 | 7:04 pm

PGA TOUR LEGEND Tiger Woods turned 50 years old on Tuesday, officially making him eligible for a run at becoming a legend on the Champions Tour as well.

However, it remains to be seen when Woods might make his return to the links as he continues to recover from a seventh back surgery in October.

When Woods spoke at a press conference as the host of the Hero World Challenge in early December, he said he had just been cleared to begin chipping and putting but was not able to share a timeline for a potential return to competitive play.

“I’m just looking forward to, let me get back to playing again. Then I can figure out what the schedule is going to be,” Woods said. “I’m a ways away from that part of it, that type of decision, that type of commitment level.”

Woods also had surgery to repair a torn Achilles in March. The 15-time major winner — three behind Jack Nicklaus for the most in PGA Tour history — has not competed in a PGA event since the Open Championship in July of 2024.

His only competitive event since was at the 2024 PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, last December. The pair were forced to sit out this year’s event due to Tiger Woods’ recovery.

Woods has been adamant that his various setbacks have not quenched his passion for the game.

“I’d like to come back to just playing golf again. I haven’t played golf in a long time. It’s been a tough year. I’ve had a lot of things happen on and off the golf course that’s been tough,” he said. “And so my passion to just play, I haven’t done that in a long time. Just play. So I’ve had to sit on the sidelines for a number of months, and most of this year and quite frankly end of last year.”

While Woods, if healthy once more, could prove to be a stiff competitor on the 50-and-over Champions Tour, his former PGA counterparts are eager for him to join the ranks of the senior tour.

“I’ve said, please come play. And I think it can only be beneficial to him. He will get himself in golf shape,” four-time major winner and seven-time Champions Tour winner Ernie Els told the Palm Beach Post of Woods. “You can ride a cart without any shame, and if there was one guy that should be able to drive a cart, it’s him.” — Reuters

Miami sends Ohio State home in CFP stunner

January 1, 2026 | 7:04 pm

CARSON BECK passed for 138 yards and a touchdown (TD) as No. 10 seed Miami upset No. 2 seed and defending champion Ohio State, 24-14 in a College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday.

Miami (12-2) will play either No. 3 Georgia (12-1) or No. 6 Ole Miss (12-1) in a semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Arizona. The Bulldogs and Rebels meet on Thursday in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans. In the two years of the CFP 12-team playoff, all five teams to receive first-round byes lost.

The Hurricanes stunned the Buckeyes (12-2) with a 14-0 halftime lead on the strength of a 9-yard touchdown catch by Mark Fletcher, Jr. and a 72-yard pick-6 by Keionte Scott. Fletcher also ran for 90 yards in the game.

After Jeremiah Smith’s 14-yard TD catch on a pass from Julian Sayin made it 17-14 with 13:28 to go, the Hurricanes marched 70 yards to wrap it up when CharMar Brown ran in from the 5 with 55 seconds left. Sayin completed 22 of 35 passes for 287 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions while Smith made seven catches for 157 yards.

NO. 13 TEXAS 41, NO. 18 MICHIGAN 27
Arch Manning passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more to lead the Longhorns past the Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, in a matchup of teams who had eyes on the College Football Playoff as late as the regular season’s final weeks.

Manning, named Citrus Bowl MVP, completed 21 of 34 passes for 221 yards and rushed for 155 on nine attempts for the Longhorns (10-3). Manning joined his famous uncle Peyton as a Citrus Bowl MVP. The elder Manning played in the game in back-to-back seasons for Tennessee and won MVP honors in a victory over Northwestern on Jan. 1, 1997.

Christian Clark took over the ball-carrying duties with four Texas running backs opting out of the contest and he rushed for 105 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries.

Bryce Underwood completed 23 of 42 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 69 yards and a score for Michigan (9-4).

NO. 23 IOWA 34, NO. 14 VANDERBILT 27
Mark Gronowski threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to help the Hawkeyes overcome a late surge to beat the Commodores in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida.

Gronowski, who won back-to-back FCS national titles at South Dakota State (2022, 2023) before spending his final season with the Hawkeyes (9-4), completed 16 of 22 passes for 212 yards and an interception, adding 54 rushing yards. Selected the game’s MVP, Gronowski extended his own NCAA wins record, finishing his collegiate career with 58, the most at any level.

The Commodores (10-3) scored four of the final five times they touched the ball after tallying just three first-half points. Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia was largely muted in the first half before awakening in the second half to finish with 347 passing yards and a team-high 36 rushing yards to account for a combined three scores in his final collegiate game.

NO. 15 UTAH 44, NEBRASKA 22
Devon Dampier accounted for five touchdowns and 458 yards of total offense and the Utes scored 37 consecutive points to beat the Cornhuskers in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Utah (11-2) ended a five-game bowl losing streak and scored a win in Morgan Scalley’s coaching debut. Scalley, Utah’s defensive coordinator since 2016, was promoted to head coach after Kyle Whittingham resigned. Whittingham was expected to coach the game but left earlier in the week to join Michigan.

Nebraska (7-6) lost its third straight game and fourth out of five after a 6-2 start. TJ Lateef threw for 182 yards, a TD and an interception and ran for a score.

DUKE 42, ARIZONA STATE 39
Darian Mensah’s fourth touchdown pass of the day went to Que’Sean Brown for 17 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:10 remaining as the Blue Devils held off the Sun Devils to win the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

Brown caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage and made his way down the left sideline for his second TD of the game as the Blue Devils (9-5) followed their Atlantic Coast Conference championship with another postseason triumph.

Mensah was 29 of 51 for 327 yards, with Brown making 10 catches for 178 yards and two TDs — all game highs. Nate Sheppard rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Arizona State quarterback Jeff Sims threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more. He was 27 of 38 for 375 passing yards. Jalen Moss collected 129 receiving yards with a touchdown on five catches, and Jason Brown, Jr. rushed for 120 yards for the Sun Devils (8-5). — Field Level Media via Reuters

Sidelined Jokić to test Nuggets’ resilience

January 1, 2026 | 7:04 pm

The Nuggets pulled off a thrilling escape against the Raptors in the absence of Nikola Jokić and with other key players nursing injuries.

Compelled to compete without the National Basketball Association’s leading candidate for Most Valuable Player (MVP), the Nuggets scraped out a 106-103 win over Toronto that called for both a celebration in the moment and a moment to ponder their uncertain future.

Jokić, three-time MVP and the engine of everything the Nuggets run on the court, will miss action until late January at the earliest. He hyperextended his left knee in the Nuggets’ loss to the Heat, and tests revealed a bone bruise, but no structural damage requiring surgery. During the time he is sidelined, the Nuggets will be negotiating at least 16 games, the results of which are certain to reshape the pecking order in the highly competitive West.

What makes Jokić’s absence so jarring goes beyond the box-score brilliance he provides (near-historic averages in points, rebounds, and assists that have him among the league leaders on all three fronts), but the gravitational pull he exerts on every possession. Teams without their best player typically limp through the standings, and the Nuggets’ recent history proves it; they’re a pitiful 13 and 23 in contests he has missed over the past five seasons.

As such, the victory against the Raptors on the road was as much a patch job as a statement of resilience. Peyton Watson stepped into the spotlight with 24 points, Jamal Murray delivered 21, and the Nuggets survived a late surge by the hosts that ended with a buzzer-beating trey waved off on review. Yet even as they got out of Scotiabank Arena with a win, their experience highlighted the absence of any margin for error shrink. They were without Jokić AND three other starters, and then needed late free throws and poise down the stretch to prevail.

To be sure, the Nuggets had already been flirting with inconsistency, dropping four of six before Jokić’s sidelining and trekking through a long road swing that figured to become a test of depth. Make no mistake: Opponents now sense blood in the water, aiming to take advantage of the turn of events and not necessarily pull them out of playoff position, but to make the climb steeper. Certainly, they will be forced into uncomfortable lineups and mismatches that their foundational piece erases by rote.

Still, the Nuggets’ response against the Raptors demonstrated an intangible that coaches and contenders talk about this time of year: belief. It was not a fluke. It was an amalgamation of timely effort, brilliance, and cohesion to weather late pressure. But confidence, like momentum, is fragile, and one month without Jokić will test every ounce of it. It doesn’t help that the January schedule will feature tough opponents. Every possession will feel like a referendum on their identity and depth. For now, they cling to the hope that they can hold the fort until their leader returns in time to anchor a title push.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty as China fires rockets in military drills

January 1, 2026 | 5:24 pm

Taiwan-Lai Ching-te — TAIWAN’s new president Lai Ching-te waves on stage during the inauguration ceremony outside the Presidential office building in Taipei, Taiwan on May 20, 2024. — REUTERS

TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defense in the face of China’s increasing expansion, after Beijing fired rockets towards the island as part of military drills.

The international community is watching to see whether the Taiwanese people possess the resolve to defend themselves, Mr. Lai said in a New Year’s speech broadcast live from the presidential office in Taipei.

“As president, my stance has always been clear: to resolutely defend national sovereignty and strengthen national defense,” Mr. Lai said, noting China had targeted Taiwan’s newly added combat capabilities as a “hypothetical adversary” in their drills this week.

He said that demonstrated the need for increasing defense procurement, urging opposition parties to support his plan to boost Taiwan’s defense spending by $40 billion, a proposal currently stuck alongside other issues in a political deadlock in the opposition-controlled parliament.

“Whether China can achieve its goals on schedule is one thing,” Mr. Lai said when asked about a US report saying China was preparing to have the capability to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027.

“The coming year, 2026, will be a crucial one for Taiwan,” he said, adding Taiwan must “make plans for the worst, but hope for the best.”

“We are willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China on an equal and dignified basis, promoting a peaceful and shared environment across the strait,” Mr. Lai said. “As long as China acknowledges the existence of the Republic of China, respects the Taiwanese people’s desire for a democratic and free way of life.”

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and it has not ruled out using force to take it under Chinese control. Taiwan rejects China’s claims.

CHINA FIRED DOZENS OF ROCKETS AS PART OF DRILLS
After Mr. Lai’s address, China said he was trying to deceive Taiwanese and mislead international public opinion.

“Lai Ching-te’s address is riddled with lies and reckless assertions, hostility and malice,” a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said in comments reported by state broadcaster CCTV.

Mr. Lai’s speech came just two days after the Chinese exercises named “Justice Mission 2025.” China fired dozens of rockets towards Taiwan and deploy a large number of warships and aircraft near island in a show of force that drew concern from Western allies including the European Commission and Britain.

Taipei condemned the drills as a threat to regional security and a blatant provocation. Beijing announced late on Wednesday that it had completed the drills, saying its military would continue to strengthen their combat-readiness.

China’s President Xi Jinping struck a familiar tone on Taiwan in his New Year’s address late on Wednesday, repeating last year’s warning to what Beijing considers as separatist forces that China’s “reunification” with Taiwan cannot be stopped.

The drills, China’s largest by area and the closest yet to Taiwan, forced the island to cancel dozens of domestic commercial flights and dispatch military jets and warships to monitor the exercises.

The Chinese maneuvers began 11 days after the United States had announced a record $11.1-billion arms package for Taiwan. China’s military said for the first time that the drills were aimed at deterring outside intervention. — Reuters