The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China stated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently designated several reserved areas and temporary restricted navigation zones in the coastal waters off the southeast, where they conducted live-fire exercises. The national defense forces are closely monitoring the situation and ready to respond accordingly.
In a meeting held by the Diplomacy and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China today (13th), they reviewed the budget proposal for the Ministry of National Defense for the fiscal year 114 (2025), focusing on the disclosure of income and expenditure by the defense department, including classified information. Minister of National Defense, Chiu Kuo-cheng, was questioned during the session.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China issued a press release on the 12th, stating that the PLA Eastern Theater Command recently established several reserved areas and temporary restricted navigation zones in the coastal waters off the southeast (Zhejiang, Fuzhou), where they conducted live-fire exercises. The national defense forces are employing coordinated intelligence surveillance means to closely monitor and dispatch appropriate forces if necessary.
Chiu Kuo-cheng pointed out in a media interview before the meeting today that the national defense forces were aware of the PLA conducting live-fire exercises with long-range artillery units on the 11th and designating reserved areas on the 12th. However, through military intelligence surveillance, no actual incidents of live-fire exercises were observed.
Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China released an update on the activities of Chinese military aircraft and vessels. From 6 a.m. on the 12th to 6 a.m. today, a total of 24 instances of Chinese military aircraft (with 15 instances crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait into the airspace of northern, central, and southwestern Taiwan) and 6 instances of Chinese naval vessels were detected operating in the vicinity of Taiwan. The national defense forces have dispatched task aircraft, naval vessels, and onshore missile systems in response.
Additionally, on the 12th, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China reported that from 6 a.m. on the 11th to 6 a.m. on the 12th, there were 10 instances of Chinese military aircraft (with 8 instances crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait) and 5 instances of Chinese naval vessels conducting activities in the vicinity of Taiwan. The national defense forces closely monitored and responded appropriately using task aircraft, naval vessels, and onshore missile systems.
Moreover, a press release issued by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China at 11:30 a.m. on the 12th stated that since 8:50 a.m., there were multiple instances of Chinese J-11, Y-8, and various types of combat and support aircraft, as well as drones, totaling 20 instances, conducting maritime activities. Thirteen of these instances crossed the median line and its extension, entering the airspace of northern, central, and southwestern Taiwan in coordination with Chinese naval vessels for “joint combat readiness patrols.” The national defense forces utilized coordinated intelligence surveillance means to closely monitor the situation, and appropriate responses were made by dispatching task aircraft, naval vessels, and onshore missile systems.