Desk : Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Thursday reported the presence of eight Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around the island, underscoring ongoing military activity by Beijing in the Taiwan Strait.
In a statement posted on X, the MND said that eight PLAN vessels were detected in waters surrounding Taiwan up to 6 a.m. local time (UTC+8). Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored the situation and took appropriate response measures.
“No flight path illustration is provided, as we did not detect PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan during this timeframe,” the ministry stated.
The latest development follows similar sightings earlier this week. On Wednesday, Taiwan reported the presence of six Chinese naval vessels operating near its territorial waters, while another six vessels were detected on Tuesday.
The repeated deployment of Chinese naval assets comes at a time of heightened military activity in the region. Beijing has steadily increased pressure on Taiwan through frequent air and sea patrols, military exercises, and demonstrations of force around the self-governed island.
Meanwhile, Taiwan continues to strengthen its own defence capabilities. According to Focus Taiwan, the country’s first domestically built submarine recently departed from the Port of Kaohsiung for another round of sea trials. The tests included submerged navigation exercises and marked the vessel’s 15th overall sea trial and ninth underwater navigation test, according to Taiwan’s Military News Agency.
The Taiwan issue remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in East Asia. China considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory and has repeatedly stated its intention to achieve reunification, by force if necessary. This position is rooted in historical, political, and legal claims that Beijing regards as fundamental to its national sovereignty.
Taiwan, however, functions as a self-governing democracy with its own government, military, and economic system. The island maintains that its future should be determined by its people, making the question of Taiwan’s status a continuing subject of international debate.
China’s claim to Taiwan traces its origins to 1683, when the Qing Dynasty annexed the island after defeating the forces of Ming loyalist Zheng Chenggong, commonly known as Koxinga. Today, the dispute remains a major source of geopolitical tension and a key test of international principles relating to sovereignty, self-determination, and regional security.