Military

Chinese Military Sorties Around Taiwan Hit Single-Day High for 2026

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By Dolphine Chen/Patrick Chen/Lery Hiciano

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Taiwan's defense ministry says it detected 49 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and six official ships operating around Taiwan between Monday and Tuesday morning. According to the ministry, 31 of the aircraft crossed into areas closer to Taiwan's main island. The ministry said the total number of aircraft detected was the highest recorded in a single 24-hour period so far in 2026. It was also the second-highest number of aircraft approaching Taiwan's main island this year. TaiwanPlus spoke with Su Tzu-yun of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research on the reason for the spike in Chinese military activity.

China Steps up Military Activity Around Taiwan

REPORTER:  
Taiwan’s defense ministry is reporting a massive spike in Chinese military activity around the country.

The ministry says it detected 49 Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels, and six official ships operating near Taiwan between Monday and Tuesday morning. Thirty-one of the aircraft came closer to Taiwan’s main island. This is the most aircraft seen around Taiwan in a single day this year, and the second-largest number that came closer to the main island.