Fishermen from Penghu spotted a People's Liberation Army (PLA) submarine surfacing while fishing near the Taiwan Strait median line on Tuesday. They reported that a Chinese warship later joined the submarine and escorted it back towards China. Based on photos taken, analysts suggest that the submarine is one of China's latest "Tang-class" nuclear submarines.
While answering media inquiries on the matter, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) confirmed the sighting and gave reassurances that the military is handling the situation but declined to disclose further details.
American Institute in Taiwan Director, Sandra Oudkirk, recently advised Taiwan not to become desensitized to Chinese threats. Koo strongly agreed with Oudkirk’s stance and stressed the importance of vigilance against China's gray zone tactics and cognitive warfare. He urged Taiwan to be aware of China's incremental efforts to alter the status quo but not panic or become numb to the situation. Koo concluded by saying that Taiwan should remain calm and rational, avoiding provocation.