China accused of increasing blockade preparations as Taiwan fears rise | World | News

China has been accused of increasing military activities around Taiwan and using “routine grey zone harassment tactics” as invasion fears continue. A new report by Taiwan’s defence ministry said Beijing is posing a “comprehensive threat” to the island nation, around 100 miles off China’s south-east coast.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and views the self-ruled nation as a breakaway province. China has carried out a series of large-scale military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan in recent years, including surprise drills in April. The report said of Chinese preparations for establishing a blockade around Taiwan, Beijing has “significantly increased joint combat readiness patrols, maritime and air blockades, joint firepower strikes”.

The report also touched upon alleged grey zone activities — hostile actions that fall below the threshold of armed conflicts like cyberattacks — carried out by China, including the use of drones.

It said Taiwan is training its soldiers to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles and is looking to procure new anti-drone weapons systems in response to incursions by China.

The report, released Thursday, said Taiwan has developed a strategy to deal with the Chinese drone incursions by identifying and shooting them down as they approach.

“Basically the drone development and anti-drone developments are very fast, and based on today’s situation, there’s different progress every day,” said defence ministry spokesperson Major General Sun Li-fang.

“This is one of our key points in our military preparedness efforts.”

Developing anti-drone capabilities is the top priority, the ministry said.

Taiwan’s outlying islands, which are closer to China than the main island of Taiwan, often face Chinese drones and soldiers there are practising night shooting as part of the training.

In the event of an attack by China, Taiwan plans to defend itself using its so-called ‘porcupine strategy’ which includes fighter jets, naval assets and missiles.

Beijing, which has not ruled out seizing Taiwan by force, has not commented on the report.

US intelligence has previously suggested Xi Jinping has ordered China’s forces to be ready for a possible invasion of Taiwan as soon as 2027.

China has the world’s biggest military and is believed to have more than two million active duty personnel.