Taiwan tracks 35 Chinese aircraft, 6 vessels around island

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported a significant increase in Chinese military activity, detecting 35 Chinese warplanes and six naval vessels around the island, with 27 aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This follows a pattern of heightened tensions, as Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft and ships numerous times this month. The situation is further complicated by China's ongoing military modernization, including new landing helicopter assault vessels aimed at enhancing its capabilities for a potential invasion. Taiwan continues to monitor these developments closely, deploying its own military assets in response to the incursions. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is a breakaway province, while Taiwan operates as a de facto independent state. The geopolitical conflict remains a critical point of tension in the region, reflecting decades of historical animosity since the Chinese Civil War.