Chinese Military Sorties Around Taiwan Surge Then Ease Over Three Days

Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels operated around Taiwan for three consecutive days, with sorties peaking on Saturday before declining. China deployed six aircraft sorties and 10 vessels on Friday, with all six sorties crossing the median line into the northern, southwestern, and eastern parts of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone. The activity escalated sharply on Saturday to 16 aircraft sorties and eight vessels, with 13 sorties crossing the median line into the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. By Sunday, the presence decreased to four aircraft sorties and six vessels, with three sorties crossing into the southwestern and southeastern ADIZ.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected and monitored each incursion, and the Republic of China Armed Forces responded to all three days of military activity. The incursions followed a Thursday detection of seven aircraft sorties, seven naval vessels, and one official ship.

The military activity unfolded against a backdrop of high-level diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on May 21 that the United States would work on the 'Taiwan problem,' claiming the situation was well in hand after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing continues to assert that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, while Taiwan maintains an independent government and military. The sustained three-day presence of Chinese forces around the island underscores the ongoing territorial dispute despite diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing.