Taiwan’s ministry of national defence (MND) reported a major spike in Chinese military activity around its air and maritime zones on Thursday, marking a continued pattern of pressure from Beijing.
According to the MND, 34 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), six naval vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and two official ships were detected around the island until 6 a.m. (local time).
In a post on X, the MND confirmed, “34 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. 14 out of 34 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
This comes a day after Taiwan recorded 17 PLA aircraft, eight PLAN vessels, and one official ship near its territory. At that time, 11 of the 17 aircraft had also breached the median line and entered the island’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
These incursions are part of an increasingly regular pattern of military pressure, as China continues to assert its claims over Taiwan. The island has been self-governed since 1949, but Beijing views it as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force for reunification under its “One China” policy.
In response to these threats, Taiwan’s military remains on high alert. Earlier this month, the island began its largest annual defence exercises, the Han Kuang war games.
According to the Taipei Times, the extended 14-day drills are aimed at preparing for a potential full-scale invasion and simulating “gray zone” tactics, including use of drones, maritime militia, and sand dredgers.
Major general Tung Chi-hsing, director of the MND’s joint operations planning division, had stated that this year’s exercises include computer-simulated war scenarios, to be followed by live-fire drills between July 9 and 18, designed to strengthen the country’s defensive readiness against PLA manoeuvres.
Meanwhile, Taiwan is also tackling economic threats. As per Taipei Times, Taiwan’s minister of economic affairs JW Kuo has warned about “origin laundering” by Chinese firms trying to evade US tariffs using fake “Made in Taiwan” labels.
Taiwan has launched multiple initiatives to stop this, including import tracking, stiffer penalties, and industry-wide awareness.
