Taiwan Reports PLA Aircraft and Naval Activity Near Its Waters Amid Rising Tensions

Taipei, Oct 2025 : Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Friday reported fresh Chinese military activity around the island, marking yet another show of force by Beijing. According to the MND, six People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels were detected operating near Taiwan’s airspace and waters.

In a statement shared on X, the MND noted that one of the six PLA aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). “As of 6:00 AM (UTC+8) this morning, we detected 6 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan. One of the 6 aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ. The #ROCArmedForces are monitoring the situation and taking appropriate actions,” the ministry posted.

This development follows Thursday’s detection of 11 PLA aircraft, eight PLAN ships, and two Chinese coast guard vessels near Taiwan. The frequent incursions underscore Beijing’s increasing pressure on Taipei, which has repeatedly accused China of attempting to destabilize the region through military intimidation.

Defense experts warn that China’s latest weapons and military strategies are aimed at undermining Taiwan’s decades-long investment in asymmetric warfare. According to Defense and Security Biweekly, published by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), Assistant Research Fellow Shou Jye-hsiang noted that Taiwan has relied heavily on asymmetric strategies for years. This doctrine focuses on low-cost, high-efficiency systems designed to deter Beijing from launching a full-scale invasion.

The persistent air and naval maneuvers highlight the fragile security environment in the Taiwan Strait, where tensions remain high amid fears of potential conflict.

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), functions as a self-governing democracy with its own political, legal, and economic systems. However, Beijing continues to assert its sovereignty over the island, adhering to the “One China” principle, which claims Taiwan as an inseparable part of China with its capital in Beijing.

The roots of this dispute stretch back to 1949, when the Chinese Civil War ended with the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, taking control of mainland China. The ROC government, led by Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang, retreated to Taiwan, establishing its base there. Since then, the island has remained outside Beijing’s control, while maintaining a vibrant economy and democratic governance.

As Chinese military activity intensifies, Taiwan’s defense forces continue to monitor the situation closely, reinforcing their commitment to safeguard the island’s sovereignty.

Team Maverick.