Communist China sends a record 45 military aircraft to intimidate Taiwan as Biden looks on, signaling a dangerous new phase in Beijing’s aggressive expansionism that threatens a crucial U.S. ally and global technology hub.
Quick Takes
- Taiwan reported 45 Chinese military aircraft incursions in a single day – the highest number this year – with 13 crossing the Taiwan Strait median line
- China’s aggressive “gray zone” tactics escalated following Taiwan’s vice president-elect’s European diplomatic trip, which Beijing condemned as promoting independence
- Taiwan has seized a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of cutting underwater communication cables, raising concerns about Beijing’s sabotage operations
- These provocations come as Taiwan’s newly elected president plans to strengthen military investments and boost ties with the U.S. to reduce Chinese dependency
Beijing’s Intimidation Campaign Reaches New Heights
Taiwan’s defense ministry confirmed a record-breaking 45 Chinese military aircraft detected around Taiwan in a single 24-hour period, marking the most aggressive display of force this year. Among the 36 aircraft and six naval vessels documented, 13 deliberately crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait – the unofficial boundary that Beijing once respected. This latest provocation comes amid a series of escalating “gray zone” tactics employed by Communist China since 2016, when Taiwan elected President Tsai Ing-wen, whom Beijing considers too independent-minded for its tastes. The Chinese Communist Party continues to claim Taiwan as its territory despite the island functioning as a self-governing democracy for over seven decades.
Diplomatic Outreach Triggers Chinese Aggression
Taiwan’s vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim’s recent diplomatic tour of Europe appears to have triggered Beijing’s hostile response. The Chinese government furiously condemned the meetings between Hsiao and European leaders as promoting “Taiwan independence.” These military maneuvers represent a calculated show of force intended to punish Taiwan for its international engagement and intimidate foreign nations from supporting the island democracy. Taiwan’s survival strategy involves building stronger diplomatic ties globally while China works relentlessly to isolate the island from the international community.
The contrast between European support and China’s bullying couldn’t be clearer. While European Parliament member Dominique Riquet affirmed solidarity with Taiwan, stating, “Our fight for freedom and democracy is more shared than ever, and the Taiwanese people can rest assured it will always find dear friends in Europeans,” Beijing responded with threatening military displays rather than diplomatic dialogue. This pattern of aggressive responses to Taiwan’s legitimate international engagement reveals China’s true intentions toward the democratic island.
Sinister Infrastructure Sabotage Raises Alarm
Beyond airspace violations, Taiwan faces more insidious threats from mainland China. Authorities recently seized a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of deliberately cutting a subsea telecommunications cable connecting Taiwan’s main island with its outlying territories. This sabotage of critical infrastructure represents a dangerous escalation in China’s campaign to isolate and control Taiwan. Such tactics, targeting communication systems vital for both civilian and military operations, demonstrate Beijing’s willingness to employ all means – including potentially destructive sabotage – to exert pressure on the democratic island.
“China’s behaviours are not only directed at Taiwan, but Taiwan will be the one that bears the most pressure” – Su Tzu-yun
Taiwan’s foreign ministry has called on Beijing to “exercise rational self-restraint” while urging the international community to monitor and condemn China’s escalating military threats. Taiwan’s military continues to “monitor, alert, and respond appropriately” to these provocations. Meanwhile, China dismissively characterized Taiwan’s legitimate security concerns as “pure hype,” claiming its threatening military exercises are merely “routine training” – a transparent attempt to normalize increasingly dangerous military pressure tactics against a peaceful democratic neighbor.
Taiwan on Thursday condemned China's military exercises after Beijing designated an area to conduct shooting drills off the self-governed island's coast. Taiwan said it detected 45 aircraft and 15 ships operating around the island in a 24-hour period. https://t.co/yhikb0mjXh
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) February 27, 2025
America’s Strategic Interests and Commitment
Taiwan remains a critical flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, with America serving as Taiwan’s primary military ally and arms supplier. The newly elected Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te plans to strengthen military investments, boost U.S. trade ties, and increase American natural gas imports to reduce dependency on China – all sensible defensive measures against an increasingly hostile neighbor.
When asked about Taiwan, President Trump notably responded, “I never comment on that.” Meanwhile, China’s state media continues to emphasize support for “unification forces” in Taiwan, plainly signaling Beijing’s ultimate goal of absorbing the democratic island by whatever means necessary – diplomatic, economic, or eventually military.
