France's newly released 2025 National Strategic Review has expressed deep concern over China's military stance in East Asia, pointing to rising instability in the Taiwan Strait due to Beijing’s growing pressure on Taipei, Focus Taiwan reported.

The report released on Monday said China carried out repeated and large-scale military exercises around Taiwan in 2024 and 2025, which marked a major increase in its use of coercion. According to Focus Taiwan, these drills are part of China’s broader strategy to establish control through force in the region, especially in the South China Sea.

"The regional situation is especially risky and unstable," the report said, highlighting the surge in military activity and the "doubt about the security guarantees enjoyed by the United States with its Asian allies and partners", particularly following changes that occurred during former President Donald Trump’s time.

France also warned that China is using hybrid tactics that go beyond direct military action to fulfil its strategic goals. These include cyber operations, theft of technology and targeted infiltration into key defence sectors such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence and space systems, Focus Taiwan reported.

The review also noted that China is expanding its nuclear weapons stockpile at a very fast pace. Unlike the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China has not agreed to stop producing fissile material, which is used in making nuclear weapons. Focus Taiwan reported that the review estimated China could reach 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030 and 1,500 by 2035.

France also highlighted China’s missile strength, saying that it had launched 310 ballistic missiles in 2024 alone. The report also discussed the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile with an estimated range of 12,000 kilometres, saying it was intended as a strategic message to Taiwan and the United States.

Apart from Taiwan, the review also pointed to China's growing interest in French overseas territories, especially New Caledonia, because of its strategic position and its valuable nickel deposits.

The report also underlined Taiwan’s key economic role, especially in the semiconductor sector, warning that any conflict involving Taiwan could cause serious disruption to the global economy, Focus Taiwan reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently approved an additional EUR 6.5 billion in defence spending, which will increase the defence budget to EUR 64 billion by 2027, reaching that target two years earlier than planned.