During a legislative session, Tsai Ming-yen, Director-General of the National Security Bureau (NSB), noted that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) routinely conducts military exercises in November and December to assess combat readiness. He suggested that the PLA might combine these drills into one large-scale exercise targeting Taiwan, CNA reported.
“We need to be prepared for possible enemy advancements,” Tsai stated, adding that the NSB is closely monitoring PLA deployments near Taiwan in coordination with the military and other intelligence agencies. Currently, four PLA naval fleets are operating in the West Pacific.
Tsai’s comments came amid heightened tensions related to comments from Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who remarked that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would threaten Japan’s survival and could prompt a military response from Tokyo, inciting a strong reaction from Beijing.
Additionally, Tsai reported that a total of eight countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and France, have had warships make 12 passages through the Taiwan Strait this year.
