Taiwan reports surge in Chinese aircraft and naval presence near its waters

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence announced that on July 6, 2026 it detected five Chinese aircraft sorties, eight People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels and three official ships operating around its territorial waters. Three of the aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ministry said it monitored and responded to the activity.

The following day, July 7, the ministry reported four Chinese aircraft sorties, nine naval vessels and three official ships near Taiwan. Again, three sorties crossed the median line into the southwestern ADIZ. The ministry posted on X, stating: “4 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 4 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern part ADIZ.”