On December 10, 2024, Taiwanese authorities reported a significant increase in Chinese military presence near the island, detecting 47 aircraft and 12 naval vessels in the vicinity within a 24-hour period. This escalation follows China's establishment of seven reserved airspaces for potential military exercises.
According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND), the detected Chinese aircraft included 16 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which has seen increasing violations by China in recent years. These aircraft entered the southwestern part of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) but did not penetrate Taipei's airspace.
In response to the heightened military activity, Taiwan raised its alert level and initiated combat readiness exercises. The MND instructed all units to maintain strict monitoring of enemy activities. The Chinese military maneuvers are anticipated to be the third set of exercises this year, although Beijing has not officially confirmed any military operations.
China's military buildup comes shortly after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's tour of Pacific allies, which included stops in the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, as well as visits to U.S. territories in Hawaii and Guam. This trip has drawn strong condemnation from China, which declared its unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity against external interference.
Since Lai's inauguration on May 20, 2024, the MND has reported over 3,300 incursions by Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan, with 2,343 crossing the median line or violating the ADIZ, marking a 37% increase compared to all of 2023.