Taiwan Surrounded By 66 Chinese Aircraft In Year's Largest Sortie

Taiwan detected 66 Chinese military aircraft around its territory, setting a new record for the year amid growing tensions. This activity follows recent political developments and adds to the ongoing military and political pressures from China.

Taiwan's defence ministry reported on Thursday that it had detected 66 Chinese military aircraft around the island within a 24-hour period, marking a record high for this year.

This announcement came a day after Beijing conducted exercises in nearby waters.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. The Chinese military maintains a near-daily presence around Taiwan, heightening tensions in the region, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Record-Breaking Military Presence

The defence ministry stated that 66 PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels were operating around Taiwan until 6 am (2200 GMT Wednesday). The ministry added that it had "responded accordingly" to these activities, as reported by Hindustan Times. This record surpasses the previous high set in May when Beijing sent 62 military aircraft and 27 naval vessels around Taiwan.

Military expert Su Tzu-yun attributed China's latest show of force to recent political developments, including Washington's new de facto ambassador to Taiwan meeting with President Lai Ching-te. Su noted, "Beijing puts pressure on Taiwan in order to express its displeasure at the support it enjoys."

Strategic Movements and Exercises

Defence minister Wellington Koo mentioned that the Shandong aircraft carrier did not pass through the Bashi Channel but instead went further south through the Balintang Channel towards the Western Pacific. This route is just north of the Philippines' Babuyan Island, about 250 kilometres south of Bashi.

Neighbouring Japan confirmed on Tuesday that four PLA navy vessels, including the Shandong, were sailing 520 kilometres southeast of Miyako island. The Philippines' military public affairs chief acknowledged reports of a China-Russia exercise in the Philippine Sea but did not comment directly on the Shandong, as per media reports.

Political and Military Pressures

China has increased political and military pressures around Taiwan in recent years, sending record numbers of jets, drones, and ships while promoting rhetoric about "unification" being "inevitable." Last September saw the largest number of aircraft ever around Taiwan when Beijing sent in 103 warplanes and aircraft.

Lai Ching-te has repeatedly sought dialogue with China but has been largely ignored. Besides military displays, China has also sent coast guard ships around Taiwan's outlying islands more frequently this year, as per media reports.

Coast Guard Incursions

On Thursday morning, four Chinese coast guard ships entered Taiwan's waters at 7 am but left after two hours. They returned at 10 am into Kinmen's restricted waters at multiple points before leaving again around noon. Taipei's coast guard reported that incursions into their controlled waters have occurred 31 times this year.

The defence ministry released an illustration showing some Chinese aircraft coming within 33 nautical miles (61 kilometres) of Taiwan's southern tip. Fifty-six of these aircraft crossed the sensitive median line bisecting the Taiwan Strait, a narrow waterway separating the island from China, as reported.

This heightened activity follows China's war games launched after President Lai Ching-te's inauguration. Beijing views Lai as a "dangerous separatist," prompting increased military actions around Taiwan.

Taiwan continues to monitor these developments closely while responding to each incursion accordingly. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate these complex geopolitical dynamics.