Chinese Aviation Resumes Flights in the Taiwan Area
After a pause lasting over two weeks, China has resumed large-scale flights of its military aviation in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that 26 PLA aircraft were recorded in the last 24 hours. Such a high level of activity was last observed on February 25, when Beijing sent 30 aircraft to the island.
From February 27 to March 7, Chinese aviation was virtually absent in the skies, except for two aircraft in the extreme southwest. Subsequently, only isolated incidents were recorded. Official Beijing has not commented on the resumption of flights. Meanwhile, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council criticized the speech of Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te. Such statements from Beijing are part of its long-term policy to exert pressure on the island, which China considers an inseparable part of its territory.
Military Threat and International Context
Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo noted that, although the aircraft have not yet taken any active measures, Chinese military ships continue to remain near the island, and the threat from the PRC persists.
The resumption of flights by Chinese combat aircraft around Taiwan indicates an escalation of the situation in the strait, which affects regional security. Against this backdrop, the scheduled visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to China on March 31 could be an important diplomatic event capable of influencing the situation around the island. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain one of the most complex challenges for U.S.-China relations.