In a significant escalation of military activity, Taiwan reported on Sunday that it detected 37 Chinese military aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, in proximity to the self-governing island. This increase in military maneuvers comes as Beijing intensifies its pressure on Taipei to acknowledge China’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense indicated that the Chinese aircraft were tracked from 9:00 am local time (0100 GMT), with 35 of these jets crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait—a critical buffer zone that has traditionally helped maintain peace between the two sides. These aircraft entered Taiwanese airspace en route to the Western Pacific Ocean.
In response to this incursion, Taiwan’s military activated its defense protocols, deploying aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems to monitor and address the situation.
This latest round of military activity follows a previous incident where Taiwan reported spotting 27 Chinese aircraft and six warships conducting a “joint combat readiness patrol” around the island. The heightened tensions reflect China’s ongoing stance that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory, with Beijing maintaining that it will not shy away from using force if necessary to assert control over the island.
Taiwan’s defense ministry also recalled large-scale military drills conducted by China last month, which were met with strong condemnation from both Taipei and the United States, Taiwan’s primary ally. These exercises were accompanied by long-distance training flights, including the firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean.
Sources By Agencies
