Taiwan is closely monitoring what it describes as a growing increase in Chinese naval activity during the peak military exercise season, including upcoming joint drills between China and Russia, with authorities analysing any new tactics that could pose a security threat.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said the period from July to September marks the busiest season for Chinese military exercises, prompting the government to compare current operations with previous missions to identify any emerging patterns.
According to Tsai, four Chinese naval formations are currently operating in the Western Pacific, reflecting what he described as an upward trend in the deployment of Chinese naval and maritime forces during the annual exercise period.
China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, has continued to increase military activities around the self-ruled island. Taiwan has repeatedly rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims, insisting that only its people have the right to determine the island’s future.
On Sunday, China’s Ministry of Defence and Russian state media announced that the Chinese and Russian navies would conduct joint military exercises in the waters and airspace off the coastal city of Qingdao later this week.
Tsai said Taiwan had already been aware of the planned exercises and had conducted internal security briefings in preparation for the operation.
He added that the joint military cooperation between China and Russia appears aimed at countering the United States and its allies’ “denial and defence strategy” along the First Island Chain, a strategically important region stretching from Japan, through Taiwan and the Philippines, to Borneo.
Meanwhile, Joseph Wu, Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council, revealed that as of Friday, Taiwan had tracked more than 110 Chinese military and Coast Guard vessels operating throughout the First Island Chain, highlighting the scale of Beijing’s expanding maritime presence.
The latest developments come amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, with Taipei continuing to closely monitor Chinese military movements and strengthen its defence preparedness.
