TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan prepares for New Year celebrations on Tuesday (Dec. 31) as Chinese military drills continue in surrounding waters, creating stark contrasts on the final day of 2025. Taipei will host fireworks near the iconic Taipei 101 in Xinyi District (信義區), a major commercial hub, with authorities taking steps to accommodate large crowds despite poor weather forecasts. The juxtaposition of festivity and military tension marks an unusual end to the year.
Convenience stores in Taipei's Xinyi District have removed their doors, an annual tradition aimed at easing the flow of New Year's Eve crowds that pack the area each year. Stores have also launched mobile shopping carts touring the commercial district. The carts offer hand warmers, raincoats, and exclusive New Year's Eve menu items to revelers gathering near Taipei 101.
The Taipei Metro has extended operations, running continuously for 42 hours starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Dec. 31) to accommodate crowds. Select stations on the Songshan-Xindian Line, a major north-south transit route, offer free entry during the night. The extended service aims to help revelers travel safely to and from New Year's Eve celebrations across the city.
The festivities come with logistical challenges as delivery platforms suspend services in celebration zones. In Taipei, deliveries halt from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. in specific areas due to traffic control measures. In Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city in the south, delivery services have been suspended from 2 p.m. on Tuesday (Dec. 31) until 3 a.m. the following day, in accordance with local government restrictions.
Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲), Minister of the Ocean Affairs Council (海委會), Taiwan's maritime affairs agency, acknowledged a slight easing of maritime tensions but stressed that China has yet to conclude its exercises. The response center remains operational. Ying-Yu Lin (林穎佑), an associate professor at Tamkang University (淡江大學), expressed concerns that China's amphibious assault ships might emulate U.S. vessels like the USS America. He suggested U.S. military support for Taiwan might shift.
The Taiwanese military remains vigilant amid threats to national sovereignty as the rest of the country readies for a festive night. As Taiwan welcomes 2026, the pairing of celebration and caution underscores the island's unique position — caught between democratic festivities and authoritarian pressure from across the Taiwan Strait. For many Taiwanese, the New Year arrives with both hope and uncertainty about what lies ahead. ◼