Taiwan recorded heightened Chinese military activity around its territory on Tuesday, with seven sorties by People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and nine vessels belonging to the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) detected near the island, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND).
In a post on X, the MND said the Chinese military activity was detected up to 6 a.m. local time (UTC+8). Of the seven PLA aircraft sorties, one crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
"Seven sorties of PLA aircraft and nine PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. One out of seven sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the MND said.
The latest activity comes amid a continued pattern of Chinese military operations around Taiwan, with Taipei regularly reporting the presence of PLA aircraft and PLAN vessels in waters and airspace surrounding the island.
On Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence reported that six PLA aircraft sorties and six PLAN vessels had been detected operating around Taiwan. According to the ministry, three of the six aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZs.
A day earlier, on Sunday, Taiwan had reported the detection of eight PLA aircraft sorties and seven PLAN vessels operating around its territory. The repeated military activity has raised concerns in Taipei over the increasing frequency of Chinese operations in the region. Taiwan's armed forces have continued monitoring the movements and have said they are responding appropriately to developments around the island.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory under its "One China" principle and has repeatedly called for eventual reunification. China has also maintained that it does not rule out the use of force to achieve reunification.
The latest developments come amid a broader regional security environment marked by heightened geopolitical tensions. Last week, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te directed the country's military and national security agencies to strengthen surveillance and monitoring amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran in West Asia, the Central News Agency (CNA) reported.
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During a routine meeting with military officials on Thursday, Lai observed that the conflict in West Asia had not deterred China from maintaining military pressure along the First and Second Island Chains, according to a statement issued by Taiwan's Presidential Office.
Lai also pointed to recent activity by Chinese aircraft carriers Shandong and Liaoning in waters near Taiwan. He stressed that Taiwan needed to remain prepared to respond to developments in its surrounding region while maintaining close communication with international partners and allies.
The Taiwanese President also said the United States Indo-Pacific Command had raised its Force Protection Condition level across the region. He instructed Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence and national security team to closely monitor the evolving situation and assess its potential implications for regional security.
Taipei has repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance as Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels conduct operations around Taiwan. The crossing of the Taiwan Strait median line by PLA aircraft is particularly significant, as the line has traditionally served as an unofficial buffer between the two sides.
Against this backdrop, Taiwan continues to monitor Chinese military movements and maintain readiness, while seeking closer coordination with its international partners as regional security dynamics evolve.
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