Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported detecting 36 Chinese military aircraft around the island within a 24-hour period, marking the highest number recorded this year.
This surge in activity comes amid escalating tensions between Taipei and Beijing, with the latter never renouncing the use of force to assert its territorial claims over the self-ruled island.
The ministry highlighted that among the detected aircraft, 13 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a sensitive and unofficial boundary that separates the two governments. This action is seen as an aggressive maneuver, deviating from the usual pattern of Chinese military exercises in the region.
The increase in aerial maneuvers by Chinese forces around Taiwan has been a consistent pattern since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, who maintains a stance of independence from China. The recent activities also coincide with the election of Tsai’s deputy, Lai Ching-te, known for his pro-independence views, which Beijing has strongly condemned.
Taiwan’s defence ministry’s announcement follows reports of nighttime activities by the Chinese military, including the detection of 20 fighter jets and other aircraft the previous evening. This pattern of heightened military presence has raised concerns about the potential for increased conflict in the region.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as any significant conflict in the Taiwan Strait could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security.
