China Coast Guard Vessels Intruded into Taiwan's Waters; U.S. Urges Beijing to Stop Pressure

China's coast guard ships have repeatedly intruded into Taiwan's eastern waters, prompting the U.S. State Department to call on Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue with its elected leadership. The intrusions occurred under the pretext of China conducting exclusive economic zone (EEZ) demarcation talks with Japan and the Philippines.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, cautioned against falling into China's narrative of "fake law enforcement, real expansion," warning that such actions could be part of Beijing's cognitive warfare. He urged for a focus on substantive dialogue rather than being manipulated by Chinese propaganda.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Central Bank Governor, Yang Chin-long, suggested that credit controls on the property market will not be further tightened, stating, "Selective credit control will stop here." This indicates that the seventh round of controls is likely the last, with no plans for additional restrictions. However, Yang remained non-committal on whether these controls would be eased, stating that any decision would depend on market conditions, housing prices, transaction volumes, and loan concentration in real estate.

In other news, the New Taipei City Police Department arrested a man for operating a drug packaging and distribution hub on the 21st floor of a high-rise building. The operation seized 6.1 kilograms of etomidate powder, which could be used to produce up to 480,000 "zombie smoke bombs," with an estimated black market value exceeding NT$100 million. The suspect has been detained.