Taiwan’s military forces are on high alert after a record 45 Chinese military aircraft entered its airspace, marking the largest single-day incursion this year amid escalating tensions between the democratic island and Beijing.
Quick Takes
- Taiwan detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around its territory on March 22, the highest number this year
- The increased military activity coincides with Taiwan vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim’s diplomatic tour in Europe
- 13 of the detected aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a long-respected unofficial boundary
- Taiwan deployed forces to monitor and respond, while condemning China’s actions as threatening regional stability
- The tensions occur as newly elected President Lai Ching-te plans to strengthen military investments and US ties
Record-Breaking Chinese Military Presence
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported 45 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island within a 24-hour period, representing the highest single-day count in 2024. Of these aircraft, 36 were detected alongside six naval vessels, with 13 planes crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait – the unofficial boundary that Beijing has increasingly disregarded in recent years. Taiwan responded by monitoring the incursion and deploying appropriate military assets, following standard protocol for what has become an increasingly common occurrence.
“China’s behaviours are not only directed at Taiwan, but Taiwan will be the one that bears the most pressure,” said Su Tzu-yun, an analyst at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research.
The spike in military activity follows Taiwan’s condemnation of China’s “live-fire” drills near its southern coast, which Taipei views as provocative and dangerous. Beijing has dismissed these concerns as “pure hype,” characterizing the exercises as routine training. Taiwan’s foreign ministry has urged China to “exercise rational self-restraint” while calling for international attention to what it describes as deliberate efforts to destabilize the region.
Diplomatic Tensions and European Outreach
Analysts suggest the timing of China’s increased military presence is directly related to Taiwan’s vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim’s ongoing diplomatic tour in Europe. Beijing has sharply criticized these meetings as promoting Taiwan independence, a red line for Chinese leadership. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary, despite the island functioning as a self-governing democracy since 1949.
“If this can discourage other international leaders from meeting Hsiao in the future, all the better from Beijing’s perspective,” said Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University’s Taiwan Studies Program.
Despite China’s pressure tactics, Taiwan has found support in Europe. During Hsiao’s visit, French politician Dominique Riquet expressed solidarity with Taiwan’s democratic values. Political tensions have intensified following the January election of Lai Ching-te as Taiwan’s next president. Beijing considers Lai a dangerous separatist, raising concerns about more aggressive Chinese actions as his May 20 inauguration approaches.
Broader Strategic Implications
Taiwan represents a critical flashpoint in US-China relations, with America serving as Taiwan’s primary military ally and arms supplier. While maintaining a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding direct military intervention, the US has consistently supported Taiwan’s defense capabilities. Newly elected President Lai has pledged to strengthen military investments and boost economic ties with Washington, including increasing American natural gas imports to reduce dependency on China.
Adding to regional complexities, Taiwan recently seized a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of cutting an undersea telecommunications cable, raising concerns about potential infrastructure sabotage. The incident follows a fatal boat confrontation near Taiwan’s Kinmen islands, where two Chinese fishermen died after their vessel capsized while being pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard. China has accused Taiwan of evading responsibility, while Taipei maintains the boat capsized due to its own dangerous maneuvers.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The China-Taiwan conflict dates back to 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan following defeat by Mao Zedong’s communists in the Chinese civil war. Since then, Taiwan has developed into a vibrant democracy with its own governance, military, and diplomatic relationships, though it lacks formal recognition from most countries due to China’s pressure. Beijing has increasingly employed “grey zone” tactics – military and political pressure falling short of outright warfare – particularly since 2016.
“Our fight for freedom and democracy is more shared than ever, and the Taiwanese people can rest assured it will always find dear friends in Europeans,” said French politician Dominique Riquet during Taiwan vice president-elect Hsiao’s European visit.
As Taiwan and China maintain their fundamentally opposing positions on the island’s status, military analysts expect continued Chinese pressure through air and naval operations, diplomatic isolation efforts, and economic leverage. Taiwan’s response emphasizes maintaining readiness, strengthening international relationships, and preserving its democratic governance while calling for global attention to what it views as Beijing’s increasingly aggressive posture in the Taiwan Strait.
