What Happened
Beijing Expands Naval Capabilities and Cyber Warfare Amid Tensions
The People’s Liberation Army Navy is preparing to commission its newest amphibious assault vessel, Sichuan, which will enhance the combat power of PLAN carrier strike groups. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense has announced inspections for PRC-origin components in military drones, following investigations into Taiwanese companies using PRC chips. The PRC conducted exercises in the South China Sea, encircling contested maritime features, and Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration reported expelling CCG vessels from Pratas’ waters 13 times in 2026. The PRC’s cyberattacks against Taiwan have raised concerns about election security, and the exercises in the South China Sea may be part of a broader effort to pressure the Philippines into accepting PRC claims. This update was first reported by the American Enterprise Institute and Institute for the Study of War.