Taiwan reported the return of large-scale Chinese air activity after an unexplained, more-than-two-week pause, detecting 26 aircraft in the Taiwan Strait over 24 hours. The last similar surge was 30 aircraft on Feb. 25. Analysts say the hiatus could reflect a recalibration ahead of U.S. President Trump's China visit or an internal purge of PLA generals. Taiwan cautioned that Chinese warships still surround the island and the overall threat endures.
Taiwan: Chinese Military Flights Resume After Unexplained Two-Week Hiatus
FILE PHOTO: Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Taipei — Taiwan reported on Sunday that large-scale Chinese air force activity around the island has resumed after an unexplained absence of more than two weeks that had prompted speculation in Taipei about Beijing's motives.
China, which regards democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, typically conducts daily flights of fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft around the island; interruptions are usually attributed to poor weather. In its daily morning update, Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 26 Chinese military aircraft concentrated in the Taiwan Strait over the previous 24 hours. The last comparable spike was 30 aircraft on Feb. 25, which Taipei described as a "joint combat readiness patrol."
From Feb. 27 through March 6, Taiwan recorded no Chinese military aircraft; sightings resumed on March 7 with two aircraft observed to Taiwan's far southwest, and only sporadic, small-scale incidents followed until the return of larger activity this weekend.
Beijing has offered no public explanation for the hiatus and did not respond to requests for comment. Late on Saturday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office sharply criticized Taiwan President Lai Ching-te after his speech urging higher defence spending and pledging to protect the island's democracy.
Taiwan Affairs Office: People like Lai Ching-te should not miscalculate; if they dare to take reckless risks, they will dig their own grave.
Officials and analysts in Taipei have suggested several possible reasons for the pause, including a recalibration of pressure ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to China beginning March 31, or an internal shake-up of senior military commanders under President Xi Jinping.
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo cautioned that although air activity had dipped temporarily, Chinese warships remained positioned around the island and the overall threat had not diminished. Taiwan's government continues to reject Beijing's sovereignty claims.
Reporting by Ben Blanchard; additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; editing by William Mallard.
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