Taiwan detects 11 Chinese military aircraft, 7 vessels near island

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 11 Chinese military aircraft and seven vessels operating around the island on Thursday, with all aircraft entering its southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), marking an escalation in activity.

Increased Chinese Military Activity Near Taiwan

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of 11 sorties of Chinese military aircraft, seven vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Thursday. All 11 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "11 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 out of 11 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded."

11 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 out of 11 sorties entered Taiwan’s southwestern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/k3It6C1ZzQ — 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) April 1, 2026

Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of a Chinese sortie, six naval vessels and an official ship operating around itself. The sortie entered Taiwan's southern part ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "1 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 1 sorties entered Taiwan's southern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded."

1 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 1 sorties entered Taiwan’s southern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/l09sHmyLgu — 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) March 31, 2026

The Complex Roots of China's Claim Over Taiwan

China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India.

Historical Timeline of Sovereignty

China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years.

After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC, United Service Institution of India. (ANI)

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