Watch out for undercover Chinese ships, researcher says‘GRAY ZONE’: The real threat China’s navy poses is not coming from its civilian fleet, but from undercover ships that can launch fiber-optic drones, a researcher saidBy Fang Wei-li and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerChinese vessels flying another nation’s flag could be deployed in “gray zone” operations around Taiwan, a civil preparedness advocate said on Friday. Photo courtesy of the Coast Guard AdministrationThis class of vessels was heavily featured in the Chinese military’s drills around Taiwan proper, it said. Institute of National Defense and Security Research analyst Chen Chia-sheng (陳嘉生) last month said the PLA could use field modifications to transform civilian vessels into disposable missile platforms. The real threat is the potential use of false-flagged ships in covert operations, which has been showcased by the ongoing Chinese military exercise, he said. Citing government reports, Ho said the coast guard so far discovered eight Chinese state-owned ships operating in the waters surrounding Taiwan, including seven that requested permission to dock.

Source: Taipei Times January 04, 2026 17:14 UTC