China identified in espionage and military activity reports

New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service (SIS) has identified the People's Republic of China as the only state detected conducting espionage against the country at scale. In its 2026 Security Threat Environment report, the SIS noted that espionage attempts utilize various methods, including academic exchanges, commercial relationships, cyber infiltration, and the use of fake cover companies. The agency predicts that such activities will increase in frequency over the coming year.

Simultaneously, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence reported a surge in Chinese military activity around its territory. On August 19, 2026, Taiwan detected 20 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and six official ships operating in the area. Of these aircraft sorties, 15 entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) across its northern, central, southwestern, and eastern sectors.