Taiwan’s defence ministry said it spotted a large group of Chinese military aircraft and ships the morning of October 8. The patrols were monitored by the Ministry of National Defence (MND), and the officials confirmed that the forces were operating close to Taiwan’s international waters.
### 26 Chinese aircraft and 7 naval vessels in the air and sea
At 6 a.m. local time, Taipei reported that 26 sorties of PLA aircraft were detected around Taiwan’s territorial waters. Of those 26 missions, 18 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the north, centre and south‑west. The MND tweeted the count twice that day, and posted a graphic showing the flight paths.
The report also noted that the same group of 7 PLAN vessels was present in the same area. The ministry said it had been watching the situation and took the necessary response measures.
Earlier, on October 7 the MND recorded 23 PLA sorties at 9:20 a.m. and again 3 sorties and 7 naval units at 6 a.m. The pattern shows a steady presence of Chinese forces near Taiwan.
### Types of Chinese aircraft
The aircraft identified by the Taiwan defence ministry included fighter jets such as the J‑16, attack aircraft like the JH‑7, and long‑range bombers such as the KJ‑500. The mix of platforms illustrates that the Chinese navy and air force are conducting joint air‑sea drills.
### Cognitive warfare tactics
A report by the Institute for the Study of War, quoted by the Taipei Times, added that Chinese ships have been broadcasting false Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals in Taiwanese waters. The aim, the report says, is to engage Taiwan in what it calls “cognitive warfare” – seeing how the island’s military reacts to different types of intrusions.
The Taiwanese intelligence agency Starboard Maritime Intelligence has documented that, during August and early September, a Chinese fishing boat named Min Shi Yu 06718 moved through the Taiwan Strait. While sailing, the vessel transmitted its own AIS data and that of another vessel called Hai Xun 15012. A “Russian warship” and a “Chinese law‑enforcement vessel” were among the impostor signals, according to the report.
### Taiwan’s response
The Ministry of National Defence says it has studied the data and responded appropriately. The Taiwanese armed forces remain on alert as the Chinese military continues to conduct drills and surveillance missions close to its territorial borders.
### Why it matters
These developments come amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China’s use of jets and naval vessels near Taiwanese waters signals its desire to showcase military reach and test Taiwan’s deterrence. The false AIS signals add another layer of complexity, showing that China is also probing Taiwan’s intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
For international observers, the situation underscores the fragility of security in the region and the importance of Taiwan’s readiness against both conventional and unconventional threats.
Source: aninews
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