Over 70 Chinese military aircraft spotted off Taipei's coastline
Get the latest on the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait! Taiwan has reported a staggering number of Chinese military aircraft flying near the island, with 74 aircraft and six ships of the Chinese army discovered in just 24 hours.
Starting from Thursday, 50 aircraft and six ships were spotted, according to the Ministry of Defense in Taipei. Since Friday morning, an additional 24 military aircraft and drones were observed. Among these, 15 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait for joint exercises, which is the unofficial maritime boundary between the People's Republic and Taiwan. The Taiwanese ministry reported that it is closely watching the situation and responding accordingly.
In another development on Wednesday, a British naval ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait, as per the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both the U.S. and other countries view the Taiwan Strait as international waters and believe all ships should have access. China criticized the passage of the British ship, accusing London of undermining "peace and stability" in the waterway.
China considers Taiwan a rebellious province that should be reclaimed by mainland China, if necessary. The People's Republic routinely conducts military exercises in the sea area surrounding Taiwan.
- In-Depth Analysis:China's military activities in the Taiwan Strait have escalated significantly. Since June 19, 2025, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has reported 46 out of 50 Chinese aircraft crossing into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), marking the highest single-day incursion in eight months and the most since October 2024 when 111 planes crossed during extensive military exercises.These frequent incursions serve as a show of force, designed to intimidate Taiwan, erode the morale of its armed forces, and assert China's claims over the island. The escalation in military activity builds on earlier Chinese exercises and operations, such as the "Strait Thunder–2025A" exercises in early April, which saw 68 Chinese aircraft crossing the median line, the first time Chinese coast guard ships entered the 24-nautical-mile zone around Taiwan, and the establishment of a two-sided blockade posture by naval forces around the island.
The British Royal Navy's offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey transited the Taiwan Strait on June 18, 2025, reinforcing the principle of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Overall, China’s recent military aircraft sightings near Taiwan, coupled with their extensive exercises, represent an escalation in hybrid military tactics aimed at encircling and pressuring Taiwan, signaling Beijing’s readiness to normalize such incursions and demonstrate its strategic ambitions in the region.
- [1] ntv.de, mbr/AFP
- [2] https://www.brookings.edu/research/unpacking-chinas-new-military-doctrine-toward-an-aging-answer-to-an-aging-question/
- [3] https://www.straitstimes.com/world/china/taiwan-reports- Record-46- Chinese-aircraft-entered-its-air-defence-zone-in-a-day
- [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/assets/australias-hms-spey-transits-taiwan-strait-2021-06-19/
- [5] https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/ZH-111#bf1a3c03
In the context of ongoing tensions, the Chinese military has significantly escalated its activities in the Taiwan Strait. As reported by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, there has been a record-breaking 46 Chinese aircraft crossing into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in a single day since June 19, 2025, a clear display of force aimed at intimidating Taiwan and asserting China's claims over the island. This escalation aligns with previous Chinese military exercises such as "Strait Thunder–2025A" and serves to demonstrate China's strategic ambitions in the region.
It is essential to understand the broader implications of these actions beyond local conflict, including their potential impact on international politics, employment policies, and community relations, especially in light of ongoing war-and-conflicts and general news developments.
