China Sends 29 Aircraft Near Taiwan as 24 Cross Strait Median Line
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 27
China Sends 29 Aircraft Near Taiwan as 24 Cross Strait Median Line
4 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 27
Taiwan said it detected 29 Chinese aircraft and seven warships around the island in a second "joint combat readiness patrol" within a week, with 24 aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line.
Taipei said its forces monitored and responded to the operation, while National Security Council chief Joseph Wu called it unprovoked and said the Liaoning carrier group was also spotted in the western Pacific.
The patrol followed Xi Jinping's talks with Donald Trump in Beijing, where Taiwan was discussed; Xi warned the issue could trigger a clash if mishandled.
The latest activity adds to a broader surge in Chinese pressure after Taiwan reported more than 100 Chinese ships along the first island chain and nearly 60 military aircraft from May 24 to 26.
With US arms diverted to Iran, how can Taiwan defend itself against China's advanced military encirclement?
Is China exploiting the US-Iran crisis to rehearse a real blockade of Taiwan?
Taiwan Under Siege: 3,100 Chinese Military Incursions in 2026 and the Growing Risk of Conflict
Overview
Between May 24 and May 26, 2026, Chinese military activity around Taiwan sharply increased, following a major summit in Beijing. Intelligence revealed that China had deployed over 100 vessels near the First Island Chain just before this escalation, with Joseph Wu emphasizing that China alone was disrupting the regional status quo and threatening peace. During this period, Taiwan’s defense forces tracked 9 Chinese military aircraft and 6 naval ships operating nearby, highlighting a coordinated show of force. These actions fit a broader pattern of sustained Chinese pressure on Taiwan, prompting vigilant monitoring and response from Taiwan’s military.