China has significantly increased its military presence around Taiwan, deploying two aircraft carrier groups and numerous naval vessels in the waters both to the north and south of the self-governing island. According to a Taiwanese security official, up to 70 ships, including warships and navy vessels, were tracked in these waters between May 1 and May 27, underscoring Beijing’s ongoing military pressure on Taipei.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, detailed the growing trend of Chinese military activities surrounding Taiwan, which have escalated as part of the broader strategy aimed at pressuring the island to submit to China’s claims of sovereignty. China has consistently refused to rule out the possibility of using force to bring Taiwan under its jurisdiction, leaving the island under a persistent threat of invasion.
In the official’s remarks, released on a Monday, it was noted that the military activities included extensive deployments throughout the region, described as “comprehensive maximum pressure.” On average, between 50 to 70 naval and government vessels, alongside hundreds of military aircraft, have been engaged in operations perceived as harassment towards Taiwan.
The report indicated that some Chinese ships passed through the Miyako Strait into the Western Pacific for long-distance training, which encompassed joint air-sea exercises. Additionally, on May 19, a group of 30 Chinese vessels lacking identification or registration were detected near Taiwan’s Penghu archipelago, which the official described as deliberately sent to provoke Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that approximately 75 Chinese aircraft participated in three separate “combat readiness patrols” around the island throughout May, emphasizing the heightened military readiness displayed by China.
This increase in provocative actions coincided with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s speech on May 20, commemorating his first year in office, adding a layer of geopolitical tension. The ongoing maneuvers also preceded the Shangri-La Dialogue, an important regional security forum in Singapore, where U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth remarked that China appears to be preparing to utilize military force to disrupt the established balance of power in Asia.
While Beijing opted not to send its Defense Minister to the summit, it issued stern warnings to Washington, stating that the U.S. “should not play with fire.” The Taiwanese security official noted that the atmosphere suggested that China was prepared to announce new initiatives or provocations at any moment, creating an environment rife with uncertainty.
Since Lai took office, China has conducted multiple large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, further contributing to regional instability and concerns among neighboring countries about Beijing’s expanding military capabilities.
