The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said Monday its military is on alert as it launched combat readiness drills. The move followed the detection of Chinese warships, coast guard vessels, and the restriction of airspace by Beijing near Taiwan.
The ministry confirmed it had identified naval formations from the People’s Liberation Army's Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater Commands entering areas near the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific. "In response to these actions by the PLA, the MND has initiated combat readiness drills, factoring in enemy threats, weather conditions, and tactical positioning," Taipei said in a statement.
Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen following recent events, including China's criticism of Taiwan's President Lai-Ching-te for planned US transits through Hawaii and Guam and his call with US House Speaker Mike Johnson.
