Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng warned on Monday that the island must be prepared for a "sudden entry" by the Chinese military into areas near its territory this year, amid escalating military tensions across the Taiwan Strait, which are mainly fueled by the US.

Taiwan has stepped up its military activities in recent years, in addition to increasing its weapons purchase from the US, which is gradually attempting to break the One China policy.

Meanwhile, China-US relations have gone further downhill as Washington is increasingly hyper-militarizing Pacific Asian countries, most notably Japan and South Korea, in the face of Beijing.

It is worth noting that Taiwan has not recorded any incidents of the Chinese military entering its contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles (44.4 kilometers) from its coast. 

Responding to questions from lawmakers in parliament, Chiu claimed the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) might find pretexts to enter areas close to Taiwan's territorial air and sea space as the island steps up its military exchanges with the United States, to Beijing's ire.

He further suggested that the PLA may make a "sudden incursion" into Taiwan's contiguous zone and approach its territorial space, which the island defines as 12 nautical miles from its shores.

"(I) specifically make these comments this year, meaning they are making such preparations," Chiu said. "Looking forward, they would use force if they really have to."

He also claimed that the PLA sends roughly ten planes or ships to areas near Taiwan every day. Several of them cross the Taiwan Strait's median line, which generally functions as an unofficial buffer, virtually every day, he said.

Chiu stated that since China violated a tacit agreement on military operations in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan has prepared to "fire the first shot" if Chinese entities, such as drones or balloons, enter its territory.

It is worth noting that currently, 30 US troops are stationed in Taiwan. However, it is planned that an additional 100 to 200 soldiers are likely to arrive over the coming months.

The newly deployed troops will include special operations forces and US Marines that will be tasked to expand a pre-existing training program that the Pentagon wanted to keep out of the public eye.

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