Taipei:The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on Thursday that it is closely observing the potential for large-scale military drills by China near Taiwan. This vigilance comes as the peak season for People’s Liberation Army (PLA) exercises approaches.

According to Focus Taiwan, defense officials addressed concerns at a news conference about the possibility of a major PLA exercise encircling Taiwan as the traditional November-December peak season nears. Pan Chun-kuang, from the Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence, highlighted the use of joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to track recent PLA activities.

Pan noted an increase in Chinese propaganda related to military activities, which he described as attempts to enhance cognitive warfare efforts. This behavior, he said, disrupts regional stability, prompting the ministry to maintain high alert and readiness to respond.

In response to questions about a naval fleet led by China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, which commenced "routine drills" in the western Pacific, Pan acknowledged regional concern and heightened alertness. Although the PLA Navy stated the drills were not targeted at any specific country, the MND will continue to monitor and take necessary precautions.

China previously conducted a large-scale exercise encircling Taiwan in August 2022, following the visit of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Such exercises have since become regular, occurring annually from 2023 to 2025, though none have taken place this year yet.