Taiwan's defense ministry has submitted its "2026 China Military Power Report" to the legislature, warning that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is stepping up preparations for a blockade of the island. The report states that recent PLA exercises are increasingly focused on "joint blockade and control" of Taiwan's external air and sea routes, aiming to strengthen the PLA's ability to target Taiwan and conduct anti-access and area-denial operations to counter potential foreign intervention. Beijing views Taiwan as part of China and has not ruled out using force for reunification, while the United States opposes any forcible takeover and is legally bound to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons.