The return of Chinese aircraft after months of reduced activity is drawing attention to whether Beijing is changing its pressure campaign around the island.
China’s Air Force has resumed exercises near Taiwan after a nearly six-month hiatus. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported the Chinese aircraft activity.
This is reported by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on the social network X.
Several types of aircraft took part in the maneuvers:
J-11 multirole fighter jets;
H-6 strategic missile-carrying bombers;
unmanned aerial vehicles;
the Y-8 EW electronic warfare aircraft;
the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
A total of 12 aircraft from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. They entered Taiwan’s northern, central, and southwestern air defense identification zones.
Chinese aircraft approached the central part of the island, where most of the population lives. At the same time, there were no reports of a direct violation of Taiwan’s airspace.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of China monitored the situation and responded accordingly.
– Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated
China reduces activity around Taiwan
Since the beginning of the year, China has reduced the number of aircraft and ships patrolling near Taiwan each day. The overall intensity of its military maneuvers has also declined.
The previous exercises by China’s air and naval forces in the area around the island took place on March 17. At the time, 28 military aircraft and eight ships took part.
Taiwan is not governed by the People’s Republic of China and has had its own administration since 1949. Beijing considers the island part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to establish control. Regular patrols and military exercises remain among China’s main tools for pressuring Taiwan.