TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) on Monday (Dec. 9) activated an emergency response center as the People's Liberation Army (中共解放軍) commenced military exercises in airspace near Zhejiang (浙江) and Fujian (福建) provinces. The drills, running through Wednesday (Dec. 11), follow President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) visit to South Pacific allies and his transit through the U.S.
The ministry reported that its joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems are monitoring the PLA's naval formations and coast guard vessels. These units are conducting long-range activities around the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific. In response, the ministry stated that it has initiated combat readiness exercises, aligning tactical maneuvers with threat levels and weather conditions.
Island-based forces have heightened alertness and are collaborating closely with the Coast Guard Administration to counteract the PLA's maritime activities. The ministry emphasized that recent PLA actions near Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan have injected instability into the region. The ministry stressed that any unilateral irrational provocative actions could severely undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and are unwelcome by the international community.
Adhering to a principle of "not escalating conflict, not provoking disputes," the military aims to manage gray zone incursions, demonstrating its capability and resolve to safeguard national security. The ministry reiterated its commitment to closely monitoring PLA movements and taking necessary measures to maintain national security and regional stability.