Taiwan Reports 130 Chinese Aircraft, 9 Vessels Near Its Territory

Taipei, Dec 30: Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity around the island on Tuesday, detecting 130 aircraft, 14 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and 8 official ships operating near Taiwan’s airspace and waters amid ongoing Chinese military drills.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s defence ministry said that 90 of the 130 aircraft sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defence identification zones (ADIZ). “We monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” the ministry added.

The latest surge in activity follows Beijing’s launch of large-scale joint military drills on Monday, involving the PLA’s army, navy, air force, and rocket forces. China described the exercises, named “Justice Mission-2025,” as a warning against “Taiwan independence” forces and external interference.

According to Chinese state media, the drills focus on combat readiness, precision strikes, blockade operations, and control of strategic ports and key areas around Taiwan. Exercises are taking place in the Taiwan Strait as well as zones to the north, south, east, and southwest of the island, with live-fire drills scheduled across five designated maritime and airspace zones.

Taiwanese military officials condemned the drills as “irresponsible,” noting that parts of all five zones marked for live-fire exercises fall within Taiwan’s territorial waters. By Monday afternoon, Taiwan had already reported heightened naval activity, with 14 PLA warships and 14 Chinese Coast Guard vessels operating near the island and its outlying territories.

The Taiwanese defence ministry said it continues to closely monitor the situation and has implemented appropriate measures in response, as tensions across the Taiwan Strait remain elevated.