Taiwan warns of 'major threat' as China deploys largest fleet since 1996

Reuters reported the information.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Sun Li-fang stated that the scale of the current deployment of Chinese naval forces is the largest since China conducted military exercises around Taiwan ahead of the 1996 presidential elections.

Taiwanese forces were put on alert on December 9 following reports that China had reserved airspace and deployed naval fleet and coast guard ships.

"The current scale is the largest compared to the previous four. Regardless of whether they have announced drills, they are posing a great threat to us," the spokesperson said.

• On Sunday, December 8, Taiwan's defense ministry reported that the number of Chinese warships near the island had almost doubled within the last 24 hours.
• On December 9, Taiwan announced an increase in combat readiness amid China's growing military activity.