Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has reported a significant increase in Chinese military activity surrounding the island nation.

According to the MND, as of 6 am local time on Monday, December 2nd, 15 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels were detected operating near Taiwan's waters and airspace. Of these aircraft, 11 crossed the median line – an unofficial boundary dividing the Taiwan Strait – and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

The MND stated that they have been closely monitoring the situation and responding accordingly. This statement was accompanied by a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, which displayed a graphic outlining the Chinese military activity detected.

This recent development follows a pattern of escalating tensions between Taiwan and China. On Sunday, December 1st, the MND reported nine Chinese aircraft, seven naval vessels, and one official ship operating around Taiwan. Three of these aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ.

The recent increase in Chinese military activity comes amidst growing concerns over Beijing's intentions towards Taiwan. The United States has recently approved a USD 385 million arms sale to Taiwan, which includes spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars. This move aims to bolster Taiwan's defensive capabilities but has raised alarm bells in China.

China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to achieve reunification, even by force if necessary. The ongoing military activities serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance of power in the region and the potential for conflict.