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China substantially increased its military drills around the island of Taiwan over the weekend following a lull in recent weeks, according to reports from the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND).

China substantially increased its military drills around the island of Taiwan over the weekend following a lull in recent weeks, according to reports from the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND).

Previously, the MND recorded no Chinese aerial incursions of the median line or the country's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) from February 27 to March 5 and March 7 to March 10. Chinese vessels, nevertheless, remained ever-present in the waters surrounding the island nation.

Previously, the MND recorded no Chinese aerial incursions of the median line or the country's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) from February 27 to March 5 and March 7 to March 10. Chinese vessels, nevertheless, remained ever-present in the waters surrounding the island nation.

When Chinese military aircraft resumed operations entering the ADIZ, they were limited in number, with the MND detecting only eight sorties out of a total of 11 breaching the zone's perimeter in the period from March 11 to March 14.

Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan

When Chinese military aircraft resumed operations entering the ADIZ, they were limited in number, with the MND detecting only eight sorties out of a total of 11 breaching the zone's perimeter in the period from March 11 to March 14.

On Sunday, however, the MND reported that it had spotted seven Chinese warships and 26 Chinese military aircraft operating near Taiwan, with 16 entering its northern, central and southwestern ADIZ between 6 a.m. local time on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday.

On Sunday, however, the MND reported that it had spotted seven Chinese warships and 26 Chinese military aircraft operating near Taiwan, with 16 entering its northern, central and southwestern ADIZ between 6 a.m. local time on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The surge in activity followed a speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te the day before, commemorating the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections in the country, in which he linked Taiwan's democracy to its sovereignty.

The surge in activity followed a speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te the day before, commemorating the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections in the country, in which he linked Taiwan's democracy to its sovereignty.

The remarks spurred a backlash in China, with Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, accusing the president of stirring conflict in the South China Sea and distorting Taiwan's history and circumstances to mislead the public and seek independence.

The remarks spurred a backlash in China, with Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, accusing the president of stirring conflict in the South China Sea and distorting Taiwan's history and circumstances to mislead the public and seek independence.

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Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported 26 Chinese military aircraft operating near the island on Saturday, with 16 entering its northern, central and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported 26 Chinese military aircraft operating near the island on Saturday, with 16 entering its northern, central and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone.

Seven Chinese naval vessels were also spotted in waters around Taiwan during the same period, according to the defense ministry.

Seven Chinese naval vessels were also spotted in waters around Taiwan during the same period, according to the defense ministry.

The surge followed roughly 10 days of reduced Chinese military flight activity near Taiwan, during which no aircraft were reported crossing the median line or entering the ADIZ from Feb. 27 to March 5 and March 7 to 10.

The surge followed roughly 10 days of reduced Chinese military flight activity near Taiwan, during which no aircraft were reported crossing the median line or entering the ADIZ from Feb. 27 to March 5 and March 7 to 10.

Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo said "we cannot rely on a single indicator like the absence of aircraft," noting that Chinese naval vessels "still surround us daily" despite the drop in flights.

Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo said "we cannot rely on a single indicator like the absence of aircraft," noting that Chinese naval vessels "still surround us daily" despite the drop in flights.

Analysts offered several explanations for the lull, including the annual meeting of China's legislature, a potential effort to ease tensions ahead of a planned Trump visit to Beijing, and possible changes to Chinese military training procedures.

Analysts offered several explanations for the lull, including the annual meeting of China's legislature, a potential effort to ease tensions ahead of a planned Trump visit to Beijing, and possible changes to Chinese military training procedures.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, following a civil war in which Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, following a civil war in which Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary.

China sending 26 jets near Taiwan is pure fear-mongering with no strategic logic behind it. Any invasion attempt would be suicidal — China lacks the oil, the tech and the military readiness Xi himself set for 2027. Seven ships and 26 planes don't constitute a credible threat, just routine posturing dressed up as crisis.

China sending 26 jets near Taiwan is pure fear-mongering with no strategic logic behind it. Any invasion attempt would be suicidal — China lacks the oil, the tech and the military readiness Xi himself set for 2027. Seven ships and 26 planes don't constitute a credible threat, just routine posturing dressed up as crisis.

Vince Dao

China's 26 warplanes and 7 navy ships circling Taiwan the same day the US sent more troops to the Middle East is no coincidence — Xi waited 16 days for the perfect window and found it. With depleted missile stockpiles and Marines in the Gulf, America has no real response ready. TSMC alone makes this the most dangerous geopolitical moment since 2003.

China's 26 warplanes and 7 navy ships circling Taiwan the same day the US sent more troops to the Middle East is no coincidence — Xi waited 16 days for the perfect window and found it. With depleted missile stockpiles and Marines in the Gulf, America has no real response ready. TSMC alone makes this the most dangerous geopolitical moment since 2003.

Wei Zhao

China-Taiwan Relations

China Sends 26 Military Jets Near Taiwan's ADIZ

China

Taiwan

Military

The timing of China's increased activity around Taiwan, coinciding with the U.S. sending more troops to the Middle East, is no coincidence — Premier Xi has waited for the perfect window and found it. With depleted missile stockpiles and Marines in the Gulf, America has no real response ready in case of a Chinese attack, especially if it gets bogged down in a prolonged conflict, making this a dangerous moment for Taiwan.

The timing of China's increased activity around Taiwan, coinciding with the U.S. sending more troops to the Middle East, is no coincidence — Premier Xi has waited for the perfect window and found it. With depleted missile stockpiles and Marines in the Gulf, America has no real response ready in case of a Chinese attack, especially if it gets bogged down in a prolonged conflict, making this a dangerous moment for Taiwan.

China's latest round of military drills around Taiwan is merely a return to its routine posturing. While the number of jets and vessels operating near the country has increased, the force is far from sufficient in size to constitute any credible threat. The reality is that China lacks the logistics, technology and military readiness for an actual invasion, a fact Xi is more than aware of.

China's latest round of military drills around Taiwan is merely a return to its routine posturing. While the number of jets and vessels operating near the country has increased, the force is far from sufficient in size to constitute any credible threat. The reality is that China lacks the logistics, technology and military readiness for an actual invasion, a fact Xi is more than aware of.

China Resumes Military Flights Near Taiwan

China SendsResumes 26 Military JetsFlights Near Taiwan's ADIZ

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