China ramps military signalling near Taiwan

China increased military activity around Taiwan this week with repeated air and naval movements near the island and a separate deployment of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group into the Western Pacific, according to statements from Taiwan’s defence ministry and Chinese military announcements. Taiwan’s government said the operations included joint combat readiness patrols and multiple aircraft crossings of the median line in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing described the carrier deployment as routine annual training. Taiwan officials said the pattern added to pressure on the island ahead of the second anniversary of President Lai Ching-te’s inauguration. ### Which moves triggered the latest concern? Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported on May 20 that it had detected 24 Chinese aircraft, six navy ships and three official ships operating around Taiwan in the previous 24 hours. The ministry said 13 of the 24 aircraft crossed the median line and entered northern, central, southwestern and eastern parts of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. On May 21, Taiwan said it detected seven PLA aircraft, seven Chinese navy ships and one official ship around the island. The ministry said six of the seven aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern air defence identification zone. On May 22, Taiwan said it detected six Chinese aircraft and 10 navy ships around the island. The ministry said all six aircraft crossed the median line and entered northern, southwestern and eastern parts of the air defence identification zone. (air.mnd.gov.tw) ### What did Taiwan’s government say about the activity? Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai told reporters in Taipei on May 19 that China was the “greatest source of regional unease and instability” because of its military actions. (air.mnd.gov.tw) Cho said China continued to conduct exercises of different scales in the Taiwan Strait, the Indo-Pacific, the South China Sea and areas around Japan, affecting navigational safety. (air.mnd.gov.tw) Taiwan’s defence ministry said the Chinese military had again carried out a “joint combat readiness patrol” around the island on May 19. The ministry said “threats and provocative actions” by Chinese military aircraft and vessels were undermining regional peace and stability. President Lai Ching-te said on May 20 that if he had the chance to speak with U.S. (usnews.com) President Donald Trump, he would say China was undermining peace and that no one had the right to annex Taiwan. Lai also said he still wanted peace and dialogue with Beijing. ### What was Beijing doing beyond the Taiwan Strait? China’s navy said on May 19 that a carrier task group led by the Liaoning had been sent to “relevant waters” of the Western Pacific for training. (usnews.com) The Chinese side said the ships would conduct long-range tactical flights, live-fire drills, support and cover operations and rescue exercises. Beijing said the deployment was a routine annual training activity conducted in line with international law and practice. (usnews.com) The Chinese military website carried the carrier deployment as a featured item on its front page on May 24. The site also carried commentary attacking Lai as a separatist and urging the United States to handle the Taiwan issue with prudence. ### Why are median-line crossings watched so closely? The median line in the Taiwan Strait has long served as an informal dividing line, though Beijing does not accept it. Taiwan’s military publishes daily counts of aircraft and ship movements and highlights how many aircraft cross that line or enter its air defence identification zone. (usnews.com) The recent counts stood out because crossings were recorded on successive days and covered multiple sectors around the island, including the north, southwest and east. (eng.chinamil.com.cn) Taiwan’s military said it responded each day with combat air patrol aircraft, navy ships and coastal missile systems. ### What comes next? Taiwan’s defence ministry is expected to continue issuing daily public updates on Chinese air and naval movements through its military news pages. (air.mnd.gov.tw) China’s Liaoning group remains in the Western Pacific for training, according to the PLA Navy’s May 19 announcement, and Taiwan President Lai has continued to say he wants dialogue with Beijing on the basis of equality and dignity. (english.news.cn)