Taiwan Warns of Own 'Red Line' As China's Military Edges Ever Closer

Taiwan underscored its own "Red line" on Wednesday after its defense minister said Taiwanese forces wouldn't be moved by China's military maneuvers around the island. He told the island's Foreign and National Defense Committee that the previous definition of a "First strike" by Beijing would be expanded to accommodate harassment of Taiwanese territory by Chinese drones as well as the Chinese military moves closer and closer to Taiwan's shores. Chinese military aircraft have also ventured past the Taiwan Strait "Median line" on a near-daily basis. Wu Qian, China's defense ministry spokesperson, told a monthly press conference in late July: "Taiwan is part of China. There is no so-called median line between both sides of the Taiwan Strait." Chiu said Beijing had created "a new normal" with its military activities further in the Taiwan Strait, and it would be a challenge to return to the status quo. The defense official said Taiwan's forces would continue to operate in patrol and training zones east of the median line. China won't have element of surprise in Taiwan invasion-ex-CIA analyst.