TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) reported Friday (Aug. 22) the detection of 22 Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels operating around the island in a 24-hour period. Nine aircraft crossed the sensitive Taiwan Strait median line into northern and southwestern airspace between 6 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 21) and 6 a.m. Friday, marking another escalation in cross-strait military tensions.
The combined total of 27 Chinese aircraft and vessels operating near Taiwan prompted the island's military to respond with heightened vigilance and defensive measures. Taiwan's armed forces deployed mission aircraft, naval ships, and land-based missile systems to closely monitor and address the escalating situation. The MND's detailed tracking map of People's Liberation Army activity showed that between 7 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Taiwan detected 19 Chinese main and auxiliary fighter jets, including drones, with six crossing the median line.
Taiwan's defense ministry identified an additional three Chinese auxiliary fighter jets and drones operating in southwestern airspace from 7:45 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. Thursday. The ministry continues to emphasize the unwavering readiness of Taiwan's armed forces to safeguard national security amid these persistent military maneuvers. Officials maintain close surveillance of all Chinese military activities in the region as tensions remain elevated across the Taiwan Strait. ◼