China Resumes Large Scale Military Flights Around Taiwan, Taiwan Reports 26 Aircraft in 24 Hours

China has resumed large-scale military flight operations around Taiwan after an unusual 16-day pause.

“After quieter weeks, Taiwan reports large-scale Chinese military aircraft presence near the island After quieter weeks, Taiwan reports large-scale Chinese military aircraft presence near the island HONG KONG (AP) — Taiwan saw a surge of Chinese military planes near the island, its defense ministry said Sunday, after a sharp drop in flights over the past two weeks had sparked discussions among observers”

Associated Press

Taiwan's Defense Ministry confirmed detecting 26 Chinese military aircraft around the island on March 15.

Associated Press

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.

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.

Dainik Jagran MP CG

'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.'

The mysterious 16-day absence of Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan has prompted considerable analysis and speculation.

“China Resumes Large-Scale Military Flights Around Taiwan After 16-Day Mystery Absence — 26 Aircraft Detected in Taiwan Strait Digital Desk China resumes large-scale military flights near Taiwan with 26 aircraft detected on March 15 after a mysterious 16-day absence”

Dainik Jagran MP CG

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.

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.

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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.