Defense News

2025/10/17

Ministry of National Defense Issues Press Release Regarding “PLA’s Joint Combat Readiness Patrol”

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1200 hours, October 17, 2025

The Ministry of National Defense stated today (October 17) that, starting at 0837 hours, it successively detected 21 sorties of various PLA main and auxiliary aircraft, including J-16, JH-7, KJ-500, and drones, operating at sea, of which 17 sorties crossed the median line and its extension, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, and southwestern airspace, and coordinated with PLA vessels to conduct harassment in the surrounding air and sea domains under the pretext of a so-called “joint combat readiness patrol.” The ROC Armed Forces employed joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means to closely monitor the situation and dispatched mission aircraft, vessels, and shore-based missile systems to respond appropriately.

2025/10/12

Ministry of National Defense Issues Press Release Regarding “Haifong Brigade Soldier Photographing Classified Information for CCP Agents”

Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Time: 1410 hours, October 12, 2025

   Regarding media reports on the case of a “Haifong Brigade soldier photographing classified information for CCP agents,” the Ministry of National Defense stated today (October 12) that in July 2023, the Political Warfare Bureau received a voluntary report from personnel indicating that a civilian surnamed Lin was involved in inducing personnel to illicitly obtain classified information from the ROC Armed Forces. The Ministry immediately notified the National Security Bureau and the Taiwan Investigation Bureau for a joint investigation, and reported the case to the Taichung Branch of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office for direction of the investigation, jointly dismantling an illegal CCP espionage organization. Additionally, regarding the leaked information, damage control measures have been properly implemented, including altering, revising, or terminating plans to mitigate the impact.

   In response to CCP infiltration efforts, the Ministry of National Defense stated that it has established a comprehensive “classified access qualification certification” mechanism and has promulgated security investigation procedures for ROC Armed Forces personnel assigned to sensitive duties or handling classified information, to prudently manage personnel security conditions.

   The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that, given the current security situation, CCP infiltration and aggressive actions against Taiwan have never ceased, and a small number of personnel, driven by personal greed and betraying the nation, should face the severest penalties. The Ministry will consistently implement security education to strengthen personnel’s security awareness and patriotic consciousness, and will closely collaborate with the national security team to enhance overall national security resilience.

About MND

The ROC Constitution stipulates that the ROC national defense aims to defend the nation's security and safeguard world peace. Under this, the nation's defense concepts, military strategies, military buildup, and objectives are formulated to prevent conflict. The current international situation and changes to the possible threat to the ROC are also taken into consideration in the making of defense policies at the current stage. The basic objectives are "preventing war," "defending the homeland," and "countering terrorism and responding to contingencies." The higher strategic goal is "effective deterrence, resolute defense" with the establishment of a quality self-defensive force capable of counterattack. China, though calling for reunification, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan. It has not only deployed an increasing number of ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan but also staged large-scale military exercises with an overt saber-rattling intent to destabilize Taiwan politically and economically. Moreover, its robust economic expansion in recent years has fueled its defense spending for greater military muscle. In order to maintain Cross-Strait stability and avoid a military imbalance in the Taiwan Strait, the ROC government is calling for the establishment of confidence-building measures (CBMs) and a code of conduct on the one hand, and, on the other hand, has been constructing basic defense forces and counterattack capability to safeguard the territory without engaging in an arms race with the other side.

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