TOI World Desk
Taiwan’s defence ministry has reported a significant rise in Chinese military activity around the island, with 43 Chinese warplanes and eight naval vessels detected on Thursday over a 24-hour period. This surge in military presence comes as Taiwan faces growing pressure from Beijing, which views the democratically governed island as part of its territory.
The Chinese aircraft were observed flying off Taiwan’s east, west, and south coasts, with at least 11 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which had previously served as an unofficial boundary between the two, Reuters reported.
Additionally, 23 aircraft flew through the Bashi Channel, separating Taiwan from the Philippines, and then proceeded along Taiwan’s east coast. None of the aircraft entered Taiwan’s territorial airspace.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also practised air refuelling in the waters around the Bashi Channel as part of these manoeuvres. Taiwan’s defence ministry noted that these drills are part of a broader pattern of increasing Chinese military activity, a trend that has intensified over the past five years.
A security source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that these flights were part of China’s annual military drills and involved simulated attacks aimed at preventing foreign forces from intervening during a potential conflict. The drills, which took place in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, focused on denying foreign assistance and seizing air dominance.
The increased Chinese military pressure follows full-scale war games conducted by China around Taiwan earlier in the year, coinciding with the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing views as a “separatist.” Despite offering talks, Lai has been rebuffed by Beijing, which continues to assert its claim over Taiwan and maintains the option of using force to achieve reunification.
Meanwhile, Japanese media reported that a Japanese warship passed through the Taiwan Strait, marking a rare navigation in the region. This comes after similar passages by US and European navies asserting freedom of navigation in these contested waters.
The situation remains tense as Taiwan monitors the movements and responds to the growing military presence, with no immediate response from China’s defence ministry.