World

China Escalates Taiwan Pressure: Unveiling AI-Powered Hybrid Warfare Strategies

China ramps up military activity near Taiwan, using AI and hybrid warfare to erode trust.

October 8, 2025, 11:40 PM

The Chinese Navy's guided-missile frigate PLAN Huangshan (FFG-570) sailing on calm blue open water.

The PLAN Huangshan (FFG-570), a Chinese navy guided-missile frigate, sails at sea during the multinational military exercise KAKADU 2018 off the coast of Darwin, Australia. By pichitchai / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported China is escalating military activities around the island and developing new equipment to enhance attack capabilities.

China is employing “hybrid warfare” tactics, including AI tools, to identify vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s critical infrastructure and erode public trust.

This multi-faceted approach aims to weaken Taiwan from within and assert China’s claims over the island without necessarily resorting to full-scale armed conflict.

The Story So Far

The ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait are rooted in China’s long-standing claim that Taiwan is a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary, a stance Taiwan rejects as it maintains its independence. This geopolitical context drives China’s strategy to intensify its military activities and deploy sophisticated “hybrid warfare” tactics, including AI-driven reconnaissance of critical infrastructure, aiming to erode public trust in Taiwan’s government and weaken the island from within.

Why This Matters

China’s escalating military activities and the deployment of advanced weaponry, coupled with its sophisticated “hybrid warfare” tactics, including AI-driven reconnaissance of critical infrastructure, present a multi-faceted threat that not only increases conventional pressure on Taiwan but also aims to internally destabilize the island by eroding public trust and undermining its defense capabilities.

Who Thinks What?

Taiwan’s defense ministry assesses that China is escalating military activities, developing new attack capabilities, and employing “hybrid warfare” tactics, including AI tools, to identify critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and erode public trust.

Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary, and uses a range of tactics, including cyberattacks and disinformation, to achieve its strategic objectives.

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported on Thursday that China is escalating the frequency of its military activities around the island and developing new equipment to enhance its attack capabilities. The biennial assessment also highlighted China’s use of “hybrid warfare” tactics, including artificial intelligence tools, to identify vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s critical infrastructure and erode public trust in the government.

China’s Evolving Threat

The report, released on October 9, detailed an increase in Chinese military drills and the deployment of advanced weaponry near Taiwan. This escalation is seen as part of a broader strategy to develop more potent offensive capabilities.

Beyond traditional military maneuvers, China is reportedly employing “hybrid warfare” strategies. These tactics aim to undermine public confidence in Taiwan’s government and reduce support for defense spending.

A significant aspect of this hybrid approach involves the use of AI tools. These technologies are being utilized to scan and identify weak points within Taiwan’s essential infrastructure, posing a non-kinetic threat to the island’s stability.

Context of Cross-Strait Relations

The report comes amidst ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan, however, maintains it is an independent entity.

The concept of “hybrid warfare” encompasses a range of tactics, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic coercion, alongside conventional military posturing. This blend of methods aims to achieve strategic objectives without necessarily resorting to full-scale armed conflict.

Key Takeaways

Taiwan’s latest defense assessment underscores a deepening concern over China’s multi-faceted approach to asserting its claims over the island. The report highlights not only an increase in conventional military threats but also the sophisticated deployment of “hybrid warfare” techniques, including AI-driven reconnaissance of critical infrastructure, designed to weaken Taiwan from within.