China sends 5 aircraft, 7 vessels near Taiwan; military on alert

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has continued its military pressure and gray-zone harassment tactics around Taiwan, with the Ministry of National Defense reporting significant activity.

Between 6 a.m. on July 15 and 6 a.m. on July 16, Taiwan's defense ministry detected five Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, two civilian official ships were also observed.

Of the detected aircraft, three crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's central and southwestern airspaces. These incursions occurred between 8:35 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. on July 15. Further activity was noted later that day, with two more aircraft, including a drone and a helicopter, detected in the southwestern airspace between 2:50 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Taiwan's military affirmed that it is maintaining a high level of vigilance. It is closely monitoring the situation and has responded by deploying its own mission aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems to counter the Chinese activity.