Taipei heightens surveillance after dozens of Chinese military assets enter sensitive zones near Taiwan.
WEB DESK: Taiwanese defence officials have reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity around the island, raising fresh concerns about security in the Taiwan Strait.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence, 26 aircraft from the military of People’s Liberation Army and seven Chinese naval vessels were detected operating near the island within a 24-hour period.
Officials said 16 of the aircraft crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered sectors of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), including the northern, central and southwestern areas.
The sudden spike ends an unusual two-week lull in Chinese flight activity observed between late February and mid-March. Analysts believe Beijing’s renewed “grey-zone” tactics aim to test Taiwan’s military readiness while maintaining strategic pressure without triggering direct conflict.
The surge comes shortly after the conclusion of China’s annual legislative meetings, known as the Two Sessions, where officials reiterated a firm stance on Taiwan’s political status.
Tensions have also grown following recent remarks by Lai Ching‑te, Taiwan’s president, who called for increased defence spending and stronger security cooperation with Western partners.
Taiwan has responded by deploying additional air patrols and activating missile monitoring systems. International observers warn that continued military maneuvers in the region could increase the risk of miscalculation in one of Asia’s most sensitive maritime corridors.
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