Taiwan has set out who answers first when Chinese maritime militia or coast guard ships cross its line — a cautious move meant to keep the navy from firing the opening shot.

• Chinese maritime militia boats appeared off Taiwan's east coast for the first time in August.
• Taiwan's coast guard is now the lead unit for pushing such ships away and enforcing the law.
• The navy only steps in as backup under a support agreement, keeping the response below the level of a military clash.
• Taiwan is tracking the militia fleet with a database and joint surveillance, treating the boats as a known pressure tactic rather than a surprise.
• Lawmakers also pressed the defense ministry to raise bonuses for front-line troops, as pilot retention remains a sore point.

Outlook: Expect more militia and coast guard probes around Taiwan, handled as a law-enforcement matter unless one escalates.