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Resumed Military Activity
China has resumed large-scale military flight operations around Taiwan after an unusual 16-day pause.
“China resumes large-scale military flight operations around Taiwan on Sunday, March 15, ending an unusual and unexplained 16-day pause that had generated intense speculation among defence analysts, Taiwanese officials, and international observers about Beijing's intentions. Taiwan's Defence Ministry confirmed in its daily update that 26 Chinese military aircraft had been detected around the island over the previous 24 hours — with 16 of them entering Taiwan's central and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone — marking the highest single-day count since February 25, when 30 aircraft were spotted during what Beijing described as a joint combat readiness patrol.”
Taiwan's Defense Ministry confirmed detecting 26 Chinese military aircraft around the island on March 15.
Sixteen of these aircraft entered Taiwan's central and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone.
This marked the highest single-day count since February 25, when 30 aircraft were spotted during what Beijing described as a joint combat readiness patrol.
The interruption to China's normally near-daily military operations was almost unprecedented.
Taiwan Response
Taiwanese officials have emphasized that the brief disappearance of Chinese military aircraft does not diminish the ongoing threat from Beijing.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo noted that Chinese warships remained near the island even during reduced air activity.
'China's threat has not gone away,' Koo emphasized, underscoring the continuous risk to Taiwan's security.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office condemned President Lai Ching-te's speech advocating for increased defense spending.
The office warned that 'people like Lai Ching-te should not miscalculate; if they dare to take reckless risks, they will dig their own grave.'
Speculation on Pause
The mysterious 16-day absence of Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan has prompted considerable analysis and speculation.
“The reduction in military activity occurred during China's annual legislative session. Though such flights have historically decreased during major political events and holidays, this year's decline was notably more pronounced than previous instances. Security experts believe the legislative meeting alone cannot explain the recent decrease. Some analysts point to possible efforts by Beijing to ease tensions with Washington ahead of a planned visit by U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House announced Trump would visit China from March 31 to April 2, though Beijing has yet to officially confirm the trip.”
The reduction in military activity occurred during China's annual legislative session, though this year's decline was notably more pronounced.
Security experts believe the legislative meeting alone cannot explain the recent decrease.
Some analysts point to possible efforts by Beijing to ease tensions with Washington ahead of Trump's planned visit.
Other observers suggest the lull may reflect changes in China's military training programs and joint exercises.
Geopolitical Context
The resumed military activity comes amid heightened cross-strait tensions and Beijing's increasingly assertive stance toward Taiwan.
China has consistently maintained that Taiwan is a separatist province that will eventually come under its control.
China has vowed to seize the island by force if necessary, conducting near-daily military operations.
Taiwan, governed separately since 1949, rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
The fluctuation in military activity underscores persistent cross-strait tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics.