China Is Moving Toward a New Form of Coercion at Sea
Since June 6, China has conducted special maritime operations east of Taiwan, inspecting 198 passing vessels and deploying research vessels suspected of military reconnaissance. Chinese state media described the patrols as entering a new phase toward a more systematic, institutionalized, and long-term framework. The operations may serve as testing grounds for a potential quarantine of Taiwan.
Why it matters: This matters for the briefing's theme of coercion at sea, as the operations indicate a more intrusive form of coercion taking shape.