Taiwan Under Watch: China's Show of Force Intensifies with Massive Air and Sea Deployments

Heightened Tensions: 82 Chinese Warplanes and Vessels Surround Taiwan in Latest Military Exercises.

Taipei, April 3 – In a dramatic display of military might, China deployed a significant number of warplanes and vessels near Taiwan on Wednesday, marking the final day of its recent military exercises in the region, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent a staggering 59 aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). Notably, 18 of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a sensitive boundary, while an additional 13 crossed its extension, as revealed by a flight map released by the MND.

The incursions, which were closely monitored, commenced at 6:10 a.m. and continued until 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday, as reported by the MND.

Wednesday's drills, codenamed Strait Thunder 2025-A, represent a continuation of the latest round of Chinese military exercises, which commenced the previous day. The PLA Eastern Theater Command stated that these exercises were designed as "a stern warning" to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Adding to the show of force, 23 Chinese warships and eight official ships were also detected operating in the waters surrounding Taiwan during the drills, according to the MND.

Further emphasizing the military activity, China's Maritime Safety Administration announced the closure of a shipping zone near Zhejiang Province on Tuesday afternoon, citing "military activity."

At a press conference on Wednesday, the MND confirmed that the PLA had conducted live-fire drills in the East China Sea earlier that morning, underscoring the intensity of the exercises.

This latest round of Chinese military exercises in the region began on Tuesday and concluded Wednesday night, leaving a clear message of China's assertive stance.