China Deploys 36 Aircraft, 8 Vessels Near Taiwan; 17 Cross Median Line Amid Taiwan Troop Patrols

Chinese military activity near Taiwan has escalated with increased patrols involving both aircraft and naval vessels. On May 10, Chinese patrols consisted of nine ships and seven aircraft near Taiwan, followed by ten ships and five aircraft on May 11. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting 30 Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan on May 11, with at least 17 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait while conducting joint combat readiness patrols with Chinese naval vessels. By May 12, the number of Chinese military aircraft operating around Taiwan rose to 36, alongside eight naval vessels and two official ships.

Of these 36 sorties, 17 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ). Taiwan has responded by monitoring the situation and deploying over 2,000 troops actively patrolling the zones, with more than 1,300 warning signs posted to mark the areas. Japanese news agency Kyodo also reported on the presence of 36 Chinese military aircraft and accompanying naval vessels conducting "combat readiness patrols" near Taiwan.