Taiwan reports 15 Chinese aircraft, 1 warship near island; majority cross median line

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Tuesday reported a surge in Chinese military activity around the island, with 15 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and one PLA Navy (PLAN) vessel detected by 6 am local time. According to the MND, 11 of the 15 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s northern and southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). “We have monitored the situation and responded,” the ministry said in a post on X. The latest activity follows consecutive days of Chinese military operations near Taiwan. On Monday, the MND recorded three PLA aircraft and four PLAN vessels, while on Sunday, two aircraft and six vessels were detected in similar operations. The repeated incursions highlight escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory under its “One China” policy, despite the island being self-governed since 1949 with its own political and economic system. Beijing has long sought reunification, increasing military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taipei. In response, Taiwan has continued to strengthen surveillance and public reporting of Chinese military movements as part of its broader national security strategy.