China increases military and research vessel activity near Taiwan

Military and research vessels from mainland China have increased activity around Taiwan, according to recent reports from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense and the Coast Guard Administration.

Between August 21 and August 22, the Ministry of National Defense reported that three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, operating in northern and southwestern airspace. Additionally, 18 Chinese vessels, including 8 military ships and 7 government vessels, were detected operating in the surrounding waters. A PLA helicopter was also observed performing ship-based take-offs and landings near Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone.

Separately, the Chinese research vessel ‘Tongji’ was detected near the waters of Xiaoliuqiu and Penghu. This marks the third time the vessel has appeared in these sensitive areas since May. The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration deployed the ‘Lianjiang’ vessel to monitor and drive the ship away through shadowing and radio broadcasts. Experts suggest that using civilian or university research vessels instead of military ships may be a tactic to reduce sensitivity while still collecting data for potential military use.