Taiwan detects highest daily number of Chinese military aircraft in 2026

Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported detecting 49 Chinese military aircraft near the island, the highest daily count this year. Among these, 31 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone. This increase coincides with a surge in Chinese naval presence in the western Pacific, including the Liaoning aircraft carrier group conducting military exercises. Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary Joseph Wu highlighted the simultaneous threat to Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines. Despite a decrease in Chinese aerial operations around Taiwan this year, the total number of detected aircraft remains significant, with 2,335 reported since January 2026, a notable decline from previous years. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to assert control, a stance rejected by Taiwan's government.