Photo: Dado Ruvic/Illustration photo
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence has reported the largest activity of Chinese troops around the island in the last ten days. During the day, 38 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) and eight ships of the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard were spotted, Ukrinform reports, citing an official report on the X social network.
In particular, 35 Chinese aircraft – fighters, bombers, drones and helicopters – crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which is considered the unofficial border between mainland China and the island. They entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern air defence zones, demonstrating the island’s de facto encirclement on all sides.
Of particular concern is the concentration of aircraft on the side of the strait and in the north of the island, where the capital Taipei is located. There have also been flights near the southwestern regions where Taiwan’s key military bases are located.
Although no direct violations of airspace or entries into territorial waters have been detected, the scale and nature of the PLA’s actions are aggressive and demonstrative. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defence notes that usually 12-15 aircraft or ships are spotted daily, but the current wave of manoeuvres is significantly higher than normal. Such activity was last recorded on 27 May.
China systematically exerts military pressure on Taiwan, demonstrating its readiness to implement scenarios involving air and sea invasion, blockade of the island, and other actions aimed at conquering Taiwan. Beijing does not recognise Taiwan’s independence and insists that it is part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, which should be “reunited” with the mainland, including by military means.
