Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Sunday reported increased military activity by China, detecting eight sorties of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating near its territory.
In a post shared on X, the MND stated: “8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This follows similar activity reported just a day earlier, when Taiwan recorded four Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels near its territory. Notably, three of those aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s northern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The latest incidents are part of a broader pattern of escalated Chinese military manoeuvres in the region. Though Taiwan has functioned as a self-governed democracy since 1949, Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory under its “One China” policy and has not ruled out the use of force for reunification.
Amid increasing regional tensions, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te last week ordered enhanced security surveillance, especially in light of rising instability in West Asia. During a military meeting, he noted that despite the global focus on the Israel-Iran conflict, China has maintained pressure in the region, particularly through naval operations around the First and Second Island Chains.
President Lai also highlighted the movements of Chinese aircraft carriers Shandong and Liaoning in nearby waters and emphasized the importance of strong coordination with Taiwan’s allies. According to the Presidential Office, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has raised its Force Protection Condition level across the region, prompting Taiwan’s defence and security agencies to stay on high alert.