Footage of Chinese J-20 During "Justice Mission 2025" Drills Sparks Debate Over Proximity to Taiwan
New video released by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command during the **"Justice Mission 2025"** military exercises (December 29–30, 2025) shows a **Chengdu J-20** stealth fighter flying low over a coastal landscape. Some analysts and observers claim the terrain matches areas near **Checheng township** in southern Taiwan's Pingtung County, close to the **Pingtung airbase**—a key Taiwanese military facility.
The footage, part of PLA propaganda highlighting the drills, has fueled speculation that the J-20 approached within **visual range** of Taiwan's coastline, potentially undetected by Taiwanese defenses. Defence commentators on social media and in reports suggested this could represent an escalation in China's "grey-zone" tactics, testing radar blind spots and compressing reaction times.
However, these claims remain **unverified**:
- The landscape in the video is not conclusively identified as Taiwanese territory.
- No independent evidence (e.g., Taiwanese radar data, photos from ground observers, or official statements) confirms the J-20 entered Taiwanese airspace or approached undetected.
- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has not commented specifically on this footage or reported any incursion by a J-20 during the exercises.
The "Justice Mission 2025" drills involved large-scale joint operations simulating blockades, precision strikes, and port seizures around Taiwan, with confirmed participation of J-20s among other assets. Taiwan responded with heightened alerts, scrambles, and counter-drills but did not report violations beyond standard ADIZ incursions.
Experts caution that the video may be intentional psychological warfare—designed to sow doubt about Taiwan's defenses—rather than proof of penetration. Similar propaganda has been used in past exercises.
While the incident raises questions about stealth capabilities and airspace security, it appears more aligned with messaging than a confirmed breach.
**References**
South China Morning Post (2026) Did a PLA stealth fighter approach a key Taiwan airbase? New video sparks debate
Interesting Engineering (2026) China’s J-20 stealth jet approached key Taiwanese airbase?
Defence Security Asia (2025) PLA’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Flies Within Visual Range of Taiwan
The Aviationist (2025) China Conducts “Justice Mission 2025” Exercise Around Taiwan
Army Recognition (2025) Details on Justice Mission 2025 drills and assets deployed
Author: Saikat Bhattacharya
