Taiwan detects 23 Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels operating nearby

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it detected 23 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and one official ship operating around the island as of 6 am local time on Friday, underscoring continued military pressure from Beijing.

In a post on X, the MND said 19 of the 23 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). “We have monitored the situation and responded,” the ministry said.

Repeated incursions

The latest activity followed a series of similar incursions reported earlier this week.

On Thursday, Taiwan detected 21 sorties of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and five People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels. The MND said 19 of those aircraft crossed the median line while conducting air-sea joint training with Chinese naval units.

Earlier on the same day, the ministry reported nine PLA aircraft, five PLAN vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan, with all aircraft crossing the median line and entering the island’s northern and southwestern ADIZ.

Taiwan’s armed forces said they monitored the situation closely and responded appropriately in all instances.

Trump comments on China and Taiwan

The latest military activity comes amid remarks by US President Donald Trump, who in an interview with The New York Times said Chinese President Xi Jinping would not take action against Taiwan while Trump is in office.

Asked about China’s view of Taiwan as a separatist threat, Trump said, “I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that.”

Referring to concerns about a potential blockade of Taiwan, Trump added, “He may do it after we have a different president, but I don’t think he’s going to do it with me as president.”

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has stepped up military activities around the island in recent years, while Taiwan maintains that it is a sovereign entity.

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