Taiwan's Vice President vows to defend democracy against rising Chinese coercion

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said that Taiwan will not sacrifice its democratic freedoms in response to mounting Chinese military intimidation and gray-zone pressure. She emphasized that the Communist Party of China's claim over Taiwan does not justify the use of force and that Taiwan will not be provoked into submission. Recent analysis with the Futures Lab at the Center for Strategic and International Studies recorded a 37.5 % rise in daily Chinese Coast Guard vessels near Taiwan’s main island during summer 2026, with an even sharper increase east of the island.

Coast guard captain Hsu Wei-hung, with over two decades of service, described the vessels as resembling warships and engaging in serious provocations. China’s foreign ministry countered that the patrols occur within its exclusive economic zone and are legitimate actions to maintain maritime order. Hsiao called for a more dynamic approach to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses while avoiding escalation.