Two Chinese military drones conducted a prolonged patrol around Taiwan, following joint military exercises between Japan and the Philippines in nearby waters on Saturday (Aug 3).
Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that the drones crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line and circled the island from noon until 9 p.m., coming within 43 nautical miles (80 km) of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan’s southernmost point.
Other PLA drones and fighter jets were active in the island’s southwest from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with 18 aircraft involved. Over 24 hours, 36 PLA aircraft and 12 vessels were detected, with 31 aircraft crossing into Taiwan’s air defense zones.
Most intense PLA activity yet
This marked the most intense PLA activity around Taiwan in three weeks, occurring after the Philippines and Japan conducted their first joint exercise in the West Philippine Sea.
Collin Koh from Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies noted that this could signify an escalation in China’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations aimed at Taiwan. Military commentator Song Zhongping suggested the drones were likely conducting reconnaissance on the Japan-Philippines exercise, gathering electronic signals and information on nearby weapons.
Similar PLA drone activities near Taiwan began last year, becoming a regular part of patrols in the Taiwan Strait. Koh emphasized that these patrols test Taiwan’s defenses, assessing its response to threats from multiple directions.
These operations align with Beijing’s assertion of sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait and surrounding airspace, with China viewing Taiwan as part of its territory and considering forceful reunification if necessary.
