Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it detected seven Chinese naval vessels and seven official ships operating around the island as of 6 am (local time) on Sunday. The ministry said it continued to closely monitor the activities and had taken appropriate measures in response.
In a post on X, the MND stated, "7 PLAN vessels and 7 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded. No flight path illustration is provided, as we did not detect PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan during this timeframe."
A day earlier, on Saturday, Taiwan's defence ministry reported the presence of eight sorties of Chinese military aircraft, 10 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and seven official ships around the island.
According to the MND, six of the eight aircraft sorties crossed into Taiwan's southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). In another post on X, the ministry said, "8 sorties of PLA aircraft, 10 PLAN vessels and 7 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 8 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded."
Earlier this week, on July 3, China expressed hope that the United States would handle Taiwan-related issues with greater caution, saying the matter carries significant implications for bilateral ties.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasised the need to remove disruptions, overcome obstacles and ensure that relations remain on the right track.
Beijing's claim over Taiwan remains a longstanding and complex issue shaped by historical, political and legal considerations. China maintains that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, a position enshrined in its national policy, domestic legislation and diplomatic stance.
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Taiwan, however, continues to function as a self-governing entity with its own democratic government, armed forces and economy. The island's political status remains one of the most sensitive issues in international relations, raising questions surrounding sovereignty, self-determination and the principle of non-interference under international law, according to the United Service Institution of India.
China traces its claim to Taiwan back to 1683, when the Qing Dynasty annexed the island after defeating the Ming loyalist forces led by Koxinga, a historical event that Beijing frequently cites in support of its territorial claim.
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