Taiwan Spots 62 Chinese Aircraft Amid US Naval Passage

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan has detected 62 Chinese military aircraft near its territory this week as two US naval vessels sailed through the Taiwan Strait, a move that frequently provokes strong reactions from Beijing.

The US and its allies routinely navigate the 180-kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait to emphasize its status as international waters, a stance that China opposes. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has vowed to reunify the island—by force if necessary.

Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed the US ships traveled from north to south starting February 10. In response, China’s People’s Liberation Army stated it monitored the transit, with a spokesperson calling the US presence a "wrong signal" that heightened security risks.

Taiwanese officials dismissed Beijing’s objections, reaffirming support for freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. Defense ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang implied China was the real source of regional instability, adding that neighboring nations were well aware of the situation.

The US passage marks the first under President Donald Trump’s administration. It followed a joint statement from Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, where they condemned any attempt to alter the Taiwan Strait’s status quo through force or coercion.

Taiwan’s defense ministry revealed that 62 Chinese military aircraft were observed within 48 hours leading up to Wednesday morning, coinciding with the US transit. Officials confirmed they had monitored and responded to the situation accordingly.

Taiwan remains a key flashpoint in US-China tensions. The US, as Taiwan’s primary arms supplier and ally, has continued to support the island despite Beijing’s growing political and military pressure. Since President Lai Ching-te took office in May, China has intensified its military presence, with record-high aircraft incursions reported during recent large-scale war games.

In October, Taiwan recorded 153 Chinese aircraft in a single day following Chinese military drills triggered by Lai’s National Day speech. A week later, US and Canadian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait, further escalating tensions in the region.



Source: https://www.philstar.com/world/2025/02/12/2421130/taiwan-detects-62-chinese-aircraft-us-ships-transit-waters