In the early hours of today (18th), fishermen in Penghu discovered a Chinese submarine surfacing near the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Minister of National Defense of the Republic of China, Gu Li Xiong, stated that the Ministry of National Defense has some understanding of the situation through relevant surveillance means, and detailed information is currently being kept confidential.
Today, Premier of the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China, Su Rong Tai, led various government department heads to the Legislative Yuan to report on the government’s policies and preparations for questioning. Before the meeting, Minister of National Defense Gu Li Xiong gave a joint interview to the media. When asked about the presence of the Chinese submarine in the Taiwan Strait, Gu Li Xiong mentioned that the Ministry of National Defense has some understanding through relevant surveillance means, but detailed methods of surveillance should not be disclosed here.
Regarding what types of Chinese ships the Ministry of National Defense is aware of and the intentions of the People’s Liberation Army, Gu Li Xiong mentioned that the Ministry of National Defense is keeping this information confidential for now.
Regarding this year’s annual military exercise, Han Guang No. 40, the simulated enemy (Red Army) component will be removed. Gu Li Xiong explained that Han Guang Exercise is designed to carry out real scenario simulations set by the General Staff Headquarters to verify matters that were previously validated in computer simulations. There is no need for adversarial exercises, but rather verification through real scenario simulations, which is a more appropriate approach, especially for units below battalion level to validate the planning objectives set by the General Staff Headquarters.
In response to the recommendations from Sandra Oudkirk, the outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, advising Taiwan not to ignore Chinese threats but also not to be afraid, Gu Li Xiong expressed strong agreement. He emphasized the need for constant vigilance against China’s military provocations, gray zone threats, and cognitive operations aimed at Taiwan, underscoring the importance of understanding China’s constant attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo in Taiwan. He stressed the importance of remaining alert but not succumbing to panic or indifference.
Gu Li Xiong emphasized the necessity of remaining calm, rational, and tactful in dealing with the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan does not seek confrontation but urges China not to be a troublemaker.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China released a report today on the activities of Chinese warplanes. From 6 am on the 17th to 6 am today, a total of 20 incidents of Chinese warplanes crossing the median line and entering the southwest and southeast airspace were detected, along with 7 incidents of Chinese warships conducting operations near the Taiwan Strait. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the Taiwanese military is closely monitoring and responding to these activities using aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems.