Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported on Thursday that five PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. local time.
“Five PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were monitored until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have responded accordingly. No flight path illustration was provided as no PLA aircraft were detected operating around Taiwan,” the MND announced in a post on X.
On Wednesday, the MND reported three Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating in the region. Among these, one PLA aircraft entered Taiwan’s eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Earlier on Tuesday, the ministry detected eight Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels operating near Taiwan until 6 a.m. local time. Of the eight aircraft, six crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ.
The increased military activity comes amid heightened tensions following the White House’s announcement of arms sales and military assistance to Taiwan. China’s foreign ministry strongly opposed the move, calling the “Taiwan issue” the core of China’s interests and a “red line” in China-US relations, according to Taiwan News.
In response, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the US arms package, stating it “seriously violates the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques, particularly the ‘August 17’ communique.” The spokesperson accused Washington of undermining China’s sovereignty and security interests, sending a “seriously wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” and “playing with fire.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also condemned China’s stance on Taiwan, accusing Beijing of “bullying Taiwan” and pursuing control over critical infrastructure in ways that could destabilize societies. He expressed concerns about China’s growing military capabilities, particularly its nuclear arsenal, which is projected to surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030, compared to 200 in 2020.
Recent weeks have seen a noticeable increase in Chinese military maneuvers around Taiwan, with multiple incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ. These actions are seen as attempts by Beijing to assert its territorial claims over Taiwan and intimidate the island amid ongoing US and international support for its sovereignty.
The Taiwan Strait remains a hotspot for regional tensions, with Taiwan condemning China’s actions as threats to its sovereignty and regional stability. Beijing, however, maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and asserts its right to reunify, including by force if necessary.
