Heated Skirmishes in Taiwan Strait: Taiwan Witnesses Record Number of Chinese Aircraft Approaching Island
Over 70 Chinese military aircraft detected approaching Taiwanese airspace.
let's dive into the ongoing escalation in the Taiwan Strait, where tensions have reached a new high in recent times, largely due to China's aggressive military activities aimed at asserting control over the island.
Causes of the Standoff
One of the primary reasons behind the kerfuffle is China's suspicions towards Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, seeing his policies as a threat to their objectives. Beijing views Lai as a dangerous separatist, capable of pushing for formal independence, which has led them to ramp up military pressure to deter such moves [2][4].
Another factor driving the tension is China's expanding strategic ambitions in the region. They have shifted their military exercises closer to Taiwan, adopting more confrontational and overt showcases of force. Their demonstrations simulate strikes on critical infrastructure in Taiwan, showcasing hybrid tactics aimed at preparing for potential invasion scenarios [2].
Military Actions and Responses
Since Lai took office in May 2024, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has stepped up raids into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) significantly. The PLA now averages over 300 incursions monthly, more than double the previous average [4].
To underline their message, China carried out drills like "Strait Thunder–2025A" in April 2025. These drills involved 68 PLA aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait within two days – the highest since 2022. The PLA also stationed naval forces near Taiwan, with some coast guard ships entering Taiwan’s contiguous zone for the first time [2].
Taiwan has responded by heightening joint defense preparedness between its military and coast guard, addressing these intrusions and pressure tactics. Lai has critiqued China's grey zone tactics, which apply military and political pressure short of open conflict [3].
International Impact
The ongoing tension is not merely an isolated issue for Taiwan but also has consequences for regional actors such as South Korea and the broader Indo-Pacific security environment. These drills align with China's efforts to reshape regional power balances and affirm its geopolitical aspirations [1][2].
There are broader global concerns that unchecked territorial aggression might embolden China to attempt forcible reunification with Taiwan. Statements by world leaders, like French President Emmanuel Macron at the Shangri-La Dialogue, underscore this worry that aggressive actions could lead to conflict with significant regional and global repercussions [2].
The United States is carefully monitoring the situation, offering increased military and diplomatic support for Taiwan. They are emphasizing the necessity to deter unilateral Chinese action in the Taiwan Strait, which forms part of their wider Indo-Pacific policy focused on maintaining freedom of navigation and regional stability [3].
In summary, the recent escalation in the Taiwan Strait originates primarily from China's efforts to pressure Taiwan's leadership and exert control, utilizing frequent and complex military exercises and incursions. Taiwan is reacting by toughening its defenses while the international community pays close attention, concerned about the risk of conflict with far-reaching regional and global consequences.
The community in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea, is closely monitoring the ongoing political and military tensions in the Taiwan Strait, as these events could significantly impact the regional power balances and geopolitical aspirations [1].
To address the increased aggression from China, the United States has updated its Indo-Pacific policy to prioritize maintaining freedom of navigation, regional stability, and deterring unilateral Chinese actions [3]. In response to this heightened situation, both Taiwan's employment policy and community policy have shifted towards enhancing joint defense preparedness between the military and coast guard forces [3].
