Taipei [Taiwan] : Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported on Tuesday that 16 sorties of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and naval vessels were detected operating around the island, with 12 aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In a statement posted on X, Taiwan’s MND said, “16 sorties of PLA aircraft and 12 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
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Taiwanese armed forces responded by scrambling fighter jets, deploying naval vessels, and activating coastal missile defense systems to track the Chinese maneuvers. The latest incursion underscores a recurring pattern of aggressive military activity by Beijing, which continues to assert its sovereignty claim over Taiwan despite the island being self-governed since 1949.
As China intensifies military and political pressure, Taiwan is considering legislative measures to counter potential infiltration. According to Taipei Times, the government is weighing a proposal to require prior authorization for legislators and public officials before visiting China.
This initiative follows President William Lai’s March rollout of 17 measures to curb Chinese infiltration. These include demands for transparency from civil servants about any China-related travel to ensure public accountability and national security.
An official told Taipei Times that the government may amend the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and Mainland Area to enforce stricter travel regulations. The proposal would apply to all public servants, including military personnel, legislators, government employees, and borough wardens—groups deemed vulnerable to influence or surveillance by China due to their access to sensitive information or public authority.
With Beijing’s pressure showing no signs of abating, Taiwan continues to strengthen both its military readiness and internal safeguards against foreign influence.