China has ramped up its military activities around Taiwan and is developing new technologies to strengthen its capability for a potential surprise attack, Taiwan’s defence ministry warned on Thursday.
In its biennial defence report, the ministry said that Beijing’s military pressure has intensified over the past five years, with at least six major rounds of war games held around the island since 2022.
The report noted that China is increasingly using artificial intelligence to target Taiwan’s cybersecurity, identify vulnerabilities in key infrastructure, and carry out “hybrid warfare” aimed at eroding public trust in the government and weakening support for defence spending.
Beijing has also expanded “grey zone” tactics — non-combat operations such as coast guard patrols and incursions meant to intimidate and exhaust Taiwan’s defences.
“Through both conventional and unconventional actions, China seeks to test its capability to attack Taiwan and confront foreign forces,” the report stated, warning that Beijing could turn routine military drills into real combat operations to surprise Taiwan and its international partners.
The ministry also highlighted China’s growing use of civilian roll-on/roll-off merchant vessels for military transport and the ongoing development of specialised equipment for amphibious landings.
China’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Beijing regards Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te as a “separatist,” while Lai maintains that only the island’s people have the right to decide their future.
