TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China could use special occasions this May or October as a pretext to launch war games around Taiwan, according to a senior Coast Guard official. 

Coast Guard Administration Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) told reporters on Tuesday that Chinese military drills could coincide with dates such as the anniversary of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) taking office in May or Taiwan’s National Day in October, per Reuters. He said Beijing could use other sensitive occasions such as diplomatic visits or events related to Taiwan's sovereignty as a pretext.

Beijing held "Joint Sword-2024A" last May after Lai's inauguration and "Joint Sword-2024B" last October after his National Day speech. China said its latest round of military drills launched yesterday was to “serve as a stern warning and powerful deterrent against Taiwanese independence.”

Hsieh also named August as a time when China could potentially launch war games. The month is when the country ends its annual fishing bans in Chinese waters. 

An additional Taiwanese senior security official said the assessments were based on China’s past actions. The source said Beijing could find excuses to ramp up gray zone pressure on Taiwan on or around those sensitive dates.

Hsieh added that Taiwan has been concerned by a recent uptick in Chinese activities around the Dongsha Islands, which are under the jurisdiction of Taiwan but also claimed by China. Chinese coast guard ships have entered the atoll's restricted waters several times this year, which Taiwan described as “coercive harassment.”