Chinese Warplanes Spotted Near Taiwan During Xi’s Meeting with Opposition Leader
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Apr 11
Chinese Warplanes Spotted Near Taiwan During Xi’s Meeting with Opposition Leader
52 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 11
Taiwan reported detecting 16 to 17 Chinese warplanes and several naval vessels near its airspace as President Xi Jinping met Taiwan’s opposition leader in Beijing.
Xi told Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun he would not tolerate Taiwanese independence, while Cheng called her visit a reconciliation mission.
Taiwanese officials criticized China’s simultaneous military pressure and peace rhetoric, emphasizing that Taiwan’s future should be decided by its people.
Could China’s use of drone carriers and maritime militia spark a new type of conflict in the Taiwan Strait?
How might Taiwan’s new defense strategies and India’s cooperation change Beijing’s calculus in the region?
What are the long-term risks if Taiwan’s legislative gridlock continues to stall critical defense upgrades?
With US arms sales now tied to diplomacy, could Taiwan’s security guarantees weaken if diplomatic priorities shift?
Is the sabotage of undersea cables China’s most effective grey zone tactic against Taiwan, and how vulnerable is Taiwan’s infrastructure?
How can Taiwan rapidly close its Maritime Domain Awareness gaps when drones face operational limitations?
Taiwan’s $40 Billion Defense Budget Stalemate and Political Divide Following Xi-KMT Beijing Meeting
Overview
On April 10, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Taiwan's KMT leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing, promoting a shared Chinese identity and peaceful cooperation under the "one China" principle. Simultaneously, Taiwan detected 16 Chinese PLA warplanes near its territory, highlighting Beijing's dual strategy of diplomatic engagement paired with military pressure. This sparked strong condemnation from Taiwan's ruling DPP, deepening political divisions as the KMT defended the talks as essential for peace. The ongoing political stalemate, including the KMT and allied parties blocking Taiwan's $40 billion defense budget, jeopardizes military readiness amid rising regional security concerns. Meanwhile, the U.S. delayed a major arms sale to Taiwan under Chinese pressure ahead of a critical Xi-Trump summit, underscoring the complex international dynamics shaping Taiwan's future.