National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu says China is using
its coast guard and other official vessels in a fresh challenge, not just to
Taiwan but the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Wu told Nikkei Asia in an exclusive interview that the entire First Island
Chain, which primarily covers Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines faces
increasing maritime aggression.

He added Taiwan's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems have
noted a significant increase in Chinese official vessel activity in the East
China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the western Pacific and the South China Sea.

To address the challenges posed by Chinese official vessels operating in
surrounding waters, Wu said Taiwan has established a cross-agency mechanism
to counter what he described as China's expansionism.

One of the group's objectives is to allow Taiwan to share its experiences
with other countries to help build a united front.

Nikkei quoted an anonymous senior European diplomat as saying Wu's strategic
communications and liaising with other governments as "tremendously helpful,"