Taiwan has reported a significant increase in Chinese military activity near its territory, raising concerns about escalating tensions between the two sides. On Wednesday, the island’s Ministry of National Defense announced that 20 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 and KJ-500 models, were detected in various locations around Taiwan. Notably, 14 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, venturing into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This incursion included flights to the north, central, and southwestern regions of Taiwan.
The Taiwanese ministry described the Chinese activity as a “joint combat readiness patrol” and emphasized that “air-sea joint training” was also being conducted along with other Chinese Navy vessels. Taiwan’s armed forces, the ROC Armed Forces, stated that they have been monitoring the situation closely and are responding accordingly.
This incident follows a warning issued by a senior security official who told AFP that Taiwan was on high alert for potential Chinese military drills near the island, particularly ahead of its National Day. The island celebrates National Day on October 10th, which carries significant symbolic importance for Taiwan’s independence. On October 9th, Taiwan’s defense minister took to X (formerly Twitter) to reiterate the ROC Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territory and sovereignty, emphasizing their strength in the face of any threats or challenges.
Further fueling tensions, Taiwan’s Coast Guard reported the seizure of a Chinese fishing boat and its nine crew members on Wednesday. The vessel was found operating within Taiwan’s restricted waters near Qimei Island, part of the Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait.
This latest escalation in activity comes amid long-standing tensions between Taiwan and China. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be eventually reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. The relationship between the two has deteriorated significantly in recent years, marked by increasing Chinese military activity around Taiwan. In the past two years alone, China has staged three large-scale military exercises, deploying aircraft and ships to encircle the island.
