TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported an unusually high number of Chinese military vessels, aircraft, and drones entering the airspace and waters around the island between Sunday and Monday.
China stated that these drills were in response to recent actions and statements made by the U.S. and Taiwan.
On Tuesday, the ministry shared images on social media of Chinese drones and ships, noting that 43 out of 59 entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone without any reported confrontations. Taiwan responded by monitoring the situation and deploying aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal anti-ship missile defenses, according to the ministry.
China regularly conducts such missions, aiming to weaken Taiwan’s defenses and morale. However, the vast majority of Taiwan’s 23 million residents reject Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over the island and its threat to use force to assert control.
The reason for the large Chinese deployment remains unclear. Daily figures often fluctuate based on statements from Taiwanese authorities or their U.S. counterparts.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday that the drills were “a resolute response to foreign collusion and support for Taiwan independence, and a serious warning to Taiwan separatist forces.”
Mao added that China’s military actions are “necessary, legal and justified measures to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
Mao was quoted as saying, “In particular, the United States deleted the literal expression that reflected the one-China principle and that did not support Taiwan independence on the website of the U.S. Department of State, which indicates wrong signals to Taiwan separatist forces.”
Taiwanese officials also provoked Beijing’s anger last week when one stated that Taiwan law designates mainland China as a “foreign hostile force” and that stronger measures were being implemented to prevent Chinese subversion through media and civic exchanges. The official also warned of the risk of influential figures and current or retired military personnel selling secrets to China.
The Taiwan Strait is an international waterway and a crucial channel for global trade. While China does not interfere with civilian shipping in the Strait—or in the South China Sea to the south, which it claims almost entirely—it consistently objects to actions by the U.S. and other foreign navies in the area.
On Saturday, China criticized accusations from top diplomats of the Group of 7 industrialized democracies, who claimed Beijing is endangering maritime safety.
The G7 stated in a joint statement: “We condemn China’s illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions that seek unilaterally to alter the status quo in such a way as to risk undermining the stability of regions, including through land reclamations, and building of outposts, as well as their use for military purpose.”
China described the G7 statement as “filled with arrogance, prejudice and malicious intentions.”
In response to the growing threat from China, Taiwan has ordered new missiles, aircraft, and other armaments from the U.S., while also revitalizing its own defense industry with submarines and other key equipment.