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New Delhi: Tensions in the Taiwan Strait reached a fever pitch this week as Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported a sustained and heavy presence of Chinese military forces encircling the island. In a series of rapid-fire escalations, dozens of aircraft and a significant naval fleet have been detected operating in the sensitive corridor.
As of 6:00 AM local time on Friday, Taiwan’s defence officials confirmed the detection of seven sorties of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and 11 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) patrolling the waters around the territory. The Republic of China (ROC) Armed Forces stated they are closely monitoring the situation and have deployed appropriate assets to respond to the movements.
"7 sorties of PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedFroces have monitored the situation and responded," Ministry of National Defence, ROC(Taiwan) posted on X.
Friday’s activity follows a particularly aggressive display of force on Thursday. In a 24-hour window ending at 6:00 AM Thursday, Taiwan detected 40 PLA aircraft and eight vessels.
The breach of the "median line"—the unofficial buffer zone in the Taiwan Strait—was significant. Out of 40 aircrafts, 26 aircraft crossed the median line. The sorties penetrated Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) across the Northern, Central, Southwestern, and Eastern sectors, effectively surrounding the island from multiple directions.
The surge began in earnest on Wednesday morning. By 8:30 am that day, 23 PLA aircraft were spotted, with 14 crossing the median line. Moreover, the MND noted that these flights were part of joint air-sea training exercises conducted in coordination with Chinese naval ships, signalling a sophisticated level of military rehearsal.
This week’s manoeuvres are part of an intensifying pattern of "grey zone" tactics—military actions that fall just short of open conflict but serve to exhaust and pressure Taiwan’s defences. While Taiwan views the median line as a critical buffer for maintaining peace, Beijing has consistently refused to recognise its existence, asserting its claim over the self-ruled island.
The ROC Armed Forces remain in a state of high readiness, utilising land-based missile systems, naval patrols, and air sorties to counter the near-daily incursions.
