The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China stated that from 6:00 a.m. on the 21st to 6:00 a.m. today (22nd), a total of 17 aircraft and ships from the Chinese Communist Party have been detected in the vicinity of Taiwan, including 8 flights of military aircraft, 7 military vessels, and 2 government ships. Additionally, 3 Chinese Communist Party balloons were seen floating around the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese military is closely monitoring and responding to these activities.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China released information on the movements of Chinese forces in the airspace around Taiwan. From 6:00 a.m. on the 21st to 6:00 a.m. today, a total of 8 military aircraft (including 3 instances of aircraft crossing the midline of the Taiwan Strait into northern and southwestern airspace), 7 military vessels, and 2 government ships were identified operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait, along with 3 Chinese Communist Party balloons causing disturbances.
The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the military is utilizing reconnaissance aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems to effectively monitor and respond to these activities.
Furthermore, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense reported the detection of 3 Chinese Communist Party balloons: the first balloon was spotted at 6:55 p.m. on the 21st northwest of Keelung at 65 nautical miles and an altitude of 16,000 feet, disappearing at 8:35 p.m.; the second balloon was located at 7:50 p.m. on the 21st northwest of Keelung at 71 nautical miles and an altitude of 16,000 feet, vanishing at 8:10 p.m.; the third balloon was detected at 9:10 a.m. on the 21st southwest of Taichung at 90 nautical miles and an altitude of 8,000 feet, disappearing at 9:50 a.m.
Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s claims that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory, mainland China has never occupied Taiwan since its establishment in October 1949. Chinese forces have been sending military aircraft and ships to provoke Taiwan almost daily this year, employing various grey zone tactics to maintain tension in the Taiwan Strait region.
President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, mentioned during the 2025 “Halifax (HFX) Taipei Forum” on the 20th, “Taiwan is strategically located in the first island chain, facing direct threats from authoritarianism. We are fearless and resolute in safeguarding national sovereignty, upholding our democratic and free way of life, and defending peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan holds peaceful ideals but does not harbor illusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of ‘peace through strength,’ building a stronger Taiwan through concrete actions and strengthening the camp of democracy and freedom.”
According to the illustration of Chinese military activities in the airspaces around Taiwan released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense today, on the 21st from 6:00 a.m. to 3:55 p.m., 6 instances of Chinese main fighter jets and drones were detected in the Taiwan Strait airspace, with one instance crossing the midline into northern Taiwan airspace. Additionally, from 10:50 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on the 21st, 2 instances of Chinese main fighter jets were detected in the southwestern Taiwan airspace. The military is closely monitoring and responding to these activities using reconnaissance aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems.
On the 21st, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense stated that from 6:00 a.m. on the 20th to 6:00 a.m. on the 21st, 28 instances of Chinese military aircraft (including 25 instances crossing the midline into northern and southwestern Taiwan airspace) and 7 military vessels were detected operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait. The military is closely monitoring and responding to these activities using reconnaissance aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems.
Moreover, on the 20th, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense reported that from 6:00 a.m. on the 19th to 6:00 a.m. on the 20th, 36 instances of Chinese military aircraft (including 29 instances crossing the midline into northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern Taiwan airspace), 8 military vessels were detected operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait, accompanied by 1 Chinese Communist Party balloon. The military is closely monitoring and responding to these activities using reconnaissance aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems.