Taiwan says China monitoring Ukraine war in developing 'hybrid warfare' strategies

Top security officials in Taiwan said China was observing the ongoing war in Ukraine in order to develop strategies for a potential invasion of the island nation. This comes amidst tensions in the region and fears that Beijing may decide to invade.

A senior Taiwanese security official said Wednesday that China has been observing the war in Ukraine to develop warfare strategies such as drones and psychological warfare. This comes as the island nation is also observing the war in Ukraine in preparation for how it would react should China invade the island it claims as its territory.

“This year, the communist military has borrowed from the experience of the Russia-Ukraine war to develop ‘hybrid warfare’ against Taiwan and strengthen its combat training and preparation against strong enemies,” Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Chen Ming-tong told lawmakers in parliament.

Chen added that following the increased military drills by China back in August, Beijing has expanded its “grey zone” warfare and hybrid activities against the island, such as using drones to fly over Taiwan-controlled islands off the coast of China and into Taiwan’s airspace.

The island said the grey zone tactics Beijing has used aimed to exhaust its enemy without the need to go into combat, such as frequent incursions into Taiwan’s airspace, forcing the island’s air force to scramble.

China has also released photos of Taiwan in an effort to “slander” and attack the island’s democratic government, according to Chen. Chen was referring to a video that went viral on Chinese social media back in August of Taiwanese soldiers on offshore islands.

Beijing has increased its military activities near Taiwan following the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday that a war between China and the island nation is “not an option,” but also pledged to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities, including precision missiles.

In her remarks on the island’s national day, Tsai said that it was “regrettable” that China has increased its intimidation and threatened peace and stability in the region.

Tsai said that there is no room for compromise in Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and freedom.