TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The government conducted a tabletop exercise on Thursday to test its response to Chinese maritime gray zone coercion targeting commercial shipping.
The Presidential Office’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee ran the drill to assess the responses if China's coast guard used the pretext of law enforcement to interfere with shipping around Taiwan, per Liberty Times. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) commented "the more prepared we are, the safer we will be."
He said China is undermining stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific through escalating gray zone tactics against Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. He said Taiwan’s defense buildup is “not a provocation” and pledged continued cooperation with like-minded partners.
The discussion-based exercise had no opposing teams, with all participants representing Taiwan’s government, according to Liberty Times. It simulated China Coast Guard orders for merchant vessels near Taiwan to report to Chinese authorities before boardings and seizures.
Lai issued four directives following the exercise. He ordered stronger air and maritime intelligence and real-time reporting, along with improved coordination with domestic and international merchant vessels.
He also ordered updated energy and critical supply stockpile plans. He further called for stronger interagency crisis coordination and strategic communications with international partners.
National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lee Wen (李問) said Taiwan’s shipping volume far exceeds that of the Strait of Hormuz, warning gray zone disruptions would significantly impact global trade, Liberty Times reported.
