Taiwan Scrambles Jets and Ships as China Intensifies Military Patrols Near Island

Taiwan deployed fighter jets and naval vessels to monitor China’s second “joint combat readiness patrol” near the island within a single week, highlighting rising military tensions across the Taiwan Strait. The latest Chinese military activity comes as Taipei remains on heightened alert over Beijing’s growing pressure campaign.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that 21 Chinese military aircraft, including advanced J-16 fighter jets and surveillance drones, were detected operating around Taiwan late Monday. Chinese warships also participated in the coordinated patrol mission, which Taiwan described as another large-scale military readiness operation near the island.

The increase in Chinese military drills follows recent discussions about Taiwan between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump during talks held in Beijing earlier this month. Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory despite strong objections from Taiwan’s democratically elected government.

Taiwan’s defense ministry released images captured by its military forces, including a photo from an F-16 fighter jet showing two Chinese fighter aircraft flying near a Y-20 aerial refueling plane. Additional images showed the Chinese destroyer Yinchuan being monitored by Taiwan’s navy personnel.

China carried out a similar combat readiness patrol last week, shortly before Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te marked his second year in office. Beijing has repeatedly criticized Lai, labeling him a separatist, while rejecting his calls for dialogue.

Tensions also escalated near the strategically important Pratas Islands in the South China Sea after Taiwan’s coast guard encountered a Chinese coast guard vessel over the weekend. Meanwhile, Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu claimed around 100 Chinese ships were operating across the first island chain stretching from Japan to the Philippines through Taiwan.

The continued Chinese military presence around Taiwan is raising concerns over regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.