Taiwan has reported an increase in activity by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the self-ruled island over the past five days, as its own military conducted a series of live-fire drills to test its amphibious defences.
The island’s defence ministry on Thursday reported 29 aircraft and nine vessels operating near the island in the 24 hours from 6am Wednesday.
A total of 18 aircraft crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and mainland China, patrolling on the northern and southwestern side of the island, it said.
It was the fourth consecutive day that the ministry reported around 30 military aircraft near the island. Over the past three months, it has reported 12 days with more than 30 aircraft near the island.
The number brings the five-day total to 161 sorties detected near the island.
Taiwan said the PLA conducted a “joint combat readiness patrol” on Sunday, which involved 30 aircraft, including J-16 advanced fighters, KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, and drones.
The PLA, however, has made no mention of any operation.
