China’s Military Presence Near Taiwan Surges: 70 Warships, 75 Jets Deployed in May

Taipei reports unprecedented PLA deployment across land, air, and sea — officials warn of rising pressure

HH News Desk 2 weeks agoLast Updated: June 7, 2025

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TAIPEI, June 3 — China’s military operations near Taiwan surged last month, with Taiwanese officials confirming the presence of 70 warships and 75 military aircraft operating in contested areas around the island between May 1 and May 27.

The developments—described by one official as “methodical and persistent”—come as regional observers grow increasingly concerned about the People’s Liberation Army’s expanding footprint near the Taiwan Strait and beyond. The activity marks one of the most intense periods of Chinese military presence since tracking began in its current form.

A senior Taiwanese security source familiar with the briefings said Chinese forces operated on both flanks of Taiwan, with assets positioned north in the East China Sea and south near the Bashi Channel, signaling a coordinated approach to maritime control and regional dominance. The scale, the source added, was not “incidental or limited to a training cycle.”

More Than a Show of Force

Unlike previous episodes, which typically lasted a few days and were often tied to diplomatic flashpoints, the May operations were continuous, covering nearly the full month. Ships were monitored entering the Miyako Strait—a key corridor linking the East China Sea to deeper Pacific waters—suggesting long-range patrols beyond Taiwan’s immediate vicinity.

In addition to the naval deployments, Taiwan recorded sustained air incursions by the PLA Air Force, with military jets, including J-16 fighters and H-6 bombers, flying sorties that approached the island’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The pattern of flights indicated reconnaissance missions, rather than routine exercises.

“They’re not just passing by. These aircraft are performing circuit patterns, rehearsing logistics, and likely gathering electronic signals,” a retired Taiwanese air force officer said, speaking on background.

Unidentified Ships Stir Concerns Near Penghu

Perhaps the most unusual sighting came on May 19. Taiwanese coastguard officials flagged a fleet of 30 vessels operating near the Penghu Islands—none of which carried visible identification, registry flags, or responded to standard hails. The incident remains under analysis, but officials say the vessels were likely engaged in a grey-zone operation.

“They weren’t fishing. And they weren’t drifting. Their position and movements were too deliberate,” said a naval source based in Kaohsiung. “It’s hard to call it anything but an attempt to unnerve us.”

Grey-zone tactics—measures that blur the line between peace and conflict—have become a hallmark of China’s Taiwan strategy, often involving maritime militias, surveillance aircraft, or civilian-adjacent assets.

New Administration, Same Pressure

These military movements follow the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who was sworn in late May. Though Lai has emphasized continuity with Taiwan’s existing cross-strait policy—namely, a rejection of unification under Beijing’s terms—Chinese state media have painted his government as a threat to peace.

In the days following the inauguration, Beijing launched what it described as “joint precision strike exercises,” placing missile units, air squadrons, and naval forces on high alert across the Eastern Theatre Command.

There’s been no formal statement from China’s Ministry of National Defense acknowledging the full extent of May’s operations, though recent press briefings have reiterated Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is an internal matter and that military actions are defensive in nature.

But analysts note the intensity and distribution of forces suggest preparation beyond rhetorical messaging.

“When two aircraft carriers show up, along with destroyers and bombers, and they linger in the area for weeks—well, it’s hard to argue that’s routine,” said a former Taiwanese naval commander.

Response: Cautious but Alert

Taiwanese officials have avoided escalating the situation but have stepped up aerial and maritime patrols. Coastal radar installations were recalibrated mid-month, and additional assets were deployed to monitor PLA movement east of Orchid Island, where activity had previously been sparse.

Defence Minister Wellington Koo has refrained from publicly speculating on Beijing’s intentions, though he acknowledged during a parliamentary session that “operational readiness remains high” and that “any provocations will be met with calibrated responses.”

There have been no reports of direct confrontations, and PLA aircraft have not crossed into Taiwan’s territorial airspace.

Broader Implications

The timing of these operations is being closely scrutinized in regional capitals. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have increased surveillance around Okinawa, while U.S. Pacific Command has conducted joint drills with allies in the Philippine Sea. Notably, the U.S. Navy’s Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group was reported to have operated in waters east of Taiwan for several days last week.

While the situation remains stable for now, the risk of miscalculation persists.

“Routine can become dangerous when both sides are operating in close proximity without communication,” said a Japanese defense expert based in Tokyo. “That’s the real fear here—an unintended incident spiraling out.”

As of early June, no new drills have been announced by Beijing. However, Taiwanese defence officials are bracing for further activity ahead of several multilateral naval exercises scheduled in the region later this summer.

What’s clear, said one official, is that May was not an outlier—it may be the baseline for what’s to come.

Written by Raj C. | Published on 3 June 2025 | Source: AP News

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