Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that as of 6 a.m. local time on Sunday, 16 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship were operating near Taiwan’s territorial waters. Of the 16 aircraft, 13 crossed the median line into Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ, the MND said.
In a post on X, the MND stated: “16 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
This follows Saturday’s detection of eight military vessels, one official ship, and seven PLA aircraft sorties, three of which crossed into Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ.
The MND had noted then: “7 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 7 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
Separately, Taiwanese defense expert Alexander Huang challenged claims that China could impose an effective naval blockade with just a few submarines. Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University, Huang, a strategic studies scholar at Tamkang University, countered remarks by China affairs expert Willy Lam, who suggested at a Washington symposium that four or five Chinese submarines could blockade Taiwan.
Huang said sustaining such a blockade would be “logistically and strategically unrealistic. A nuclear submarine can stay submerged for extended periods, but the crew still needs food, rest, and rotation.
No vessel can maintain its position forever.” He added that any blockade attempt would expose Chinese submarines to significant risks, including potential interference from other nations’ naval forces, and emphasized that Taiwan retains the capability to counterattack if necessary.
This development underscores rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, highlighting ongoing Chinese military activity and the challenges of regional maritime security.
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