In news from and about Taiwan this morning,

The Ministry of National Defense says it will closely monitor any large-scale
Chinese military exercise that could take place near Taiwan on Saturday.

The statement comes amid suggestions that Beijing could use the anniversary
of the start of the Nanjing Massacre to launch a "Joint Sword C" drill in the
proximity of Taiwan due to its ongoing dispute over recent comments Japan's
prime minister.

China does not routinely hold military drills to mark the occasion.

However, there is concern that tensions with Japan could prompt Beijing to
take such action this year.

Reuters reported last week that China had been massing naval assets from the
southern Yellow Sea through the East China Sea into the South China Sea since
mid-November.

The defense ministry is not saying whether a Chinese exercise will be held or
not.

But the deputy chief of general staff for Intelligence is stressing that the
military has been monitoring Chinese movements using its joint intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance systems ...

.. and is also tracking political, economic and social developments within
China that could signal an imminent operation.