Taiwansforeign ministryhas condemned Chinas increasing military presence around the island, describing Beijing as a troublemaker in the region. This strong statement comes in response to a significant uptick in Chinese military operations, with dozens of aircraft and naval vessels conducting maneuvers near Taiwan over the past week.

Escalating Military Activity

On Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense reported detecting 34 Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and 16 Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around the island. Of these, 22 aircraft crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, encroaching upon Taiwans northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The Republic of China (ROC) Armed Forces responded by deploying Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems to monitor and counter the incursions. The PLA is Chinas military.

This surge follows an earlier period from Dec. 10 to Dec. 11, during which 53 PLA aircraft, 11 PLAN vessels, and 8 official ships were detected in the vicinity. Twenty-three of the aircraft similarly violated the median line and entered Taiwans ADIZ.

Broader Military Posture

Taiwanese officials also noted that China has been conducting its largest maritime drills in years, spanning areas from the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea. While Beijing has not officially acknowledged these drills, its foreign ministry redirected blame toward Taiwan, accusing it of provoking tensions.

Chinas ramped-up military activity coincides with its ongoing opposition to any form of international recognition of Taiwans sovereignty, particularly interactions between Taipei and Washington. Despite the elevated activity, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), stated it does not view the current developments as adirect responseto President Lai Ching-tes recent U.S. visit.

U.S. and Taiwans Responses

President Lai, often labeled a separatist by Beijing, returned last Friday from a trip to the Pacific that included transits through Hawaii and Guam. The AIT emphasized that while Chinese military operations in the region are heightened, this pattern aligns with past large-scale exercises such as Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B, the most recent of which occurred in October. The elevated activity in the East China Sea and South China Sea follows a broader increase in the PLA’s military posture over the last several years, an AIT spokesperson noted.

The United States remains Taiwans most significant international backer and primary arms supplier. It continues to monitor the situation with concern, reiterating its commitment to regional stability.

A Region on Edge

Chinas assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait has been a persistent threat, with Beijing refusing to rule out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. Taiwan, on the other hand, steadfastly rejects Chinas sovereignty claims and continues to bolster its defense capabilities in response to the escalating military pressure.