Taiwan Defense Report Warns China Is Sharpening Capabilities for Possible Future Attack

China is intensifying military activities around Taiwan and refining its ability to launch a surprise attack while simultaneously using “hybrid” online warfare to undermine public confidence in the government, Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Thursday.

The democratically governed island—claimed by Beijing as part of its territory—has faced mounting military pressure from China over the past five years, including at least seven major rounds of exercises around the island since 2022.

In its biennial defense report, the ministry said Beijing is deploying artificial intelligence tools to probe weaknesses in Taiwan’s cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. It also accused China of waging “hybrid warfare” to erode public trust in the government and weaken support for defense spending.

The report noted a rise in so-called “gray zone” coercion tactics—non-combat operations such as coast guard patrols designed to wear down Taiwan’s defenses and increase pressure on the island.

“Through both conventional and unconventional military actions, its goal is to test its capabilities to strike Taiwan and confront foreign forces,” the ministry said.

The report warned that China could abruptly turn routine exercises into actual combat operations to catch Taiwan and its international partners off guard, posing a grave threat to regional peace and security.

In recent years, China has increasingly relied on civilian roll-on/roll-off vessels for military transport operations and continues to develop specialized equipment for amphibious landings, the report added.

China’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.

According to the report, China operates a “professional cyber army” that manipulates social media accounts and spreads disinformation to sow division within Taiwanese society and erode confidence in the government.

It also said that Chinese state media and domestic collaborators have worked to weaken public morale and the will to resist.

Beijing is further using deepfake technology to produce fabricated videos and deploying AI-driven “polarizing political rhetoric,” the report said.

China views Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te as a “separatist.” Lai has rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only the island’s people have the right to determine their future.

Taiwan has launched a defense modernization program and pledged to raise military spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.

The report was released one day before President Lai’s National Day address. China had conducted military drills following last year’s speech, calling them a warning against what it described as “separatist activities.”

China’s most recent formal military exercise around Taiwan took place in April, though its warplanes and naval vessels continue to operate near the island almost daily.