36 Chinese military aircraft detected around Taiwan

Uptick in activity seen as Beijing’s response to Taipei’s political outreach to Europe

- Taiwan's defence ministry announced on March 22 the highest single-day number of Chinese military aircraft around the island in 2024, which analysts attributed as a reaction to Taiwan's political outreach to Europe in recent days.

China regards the self-governing Taiwan as its territory to be reunified. Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims.

The March 22 incursion, an uptick from the previous day's tally, follows a pattern of what experts dub "grey zone" actions tactics that fall short of outright acts of war - which have ramped up since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Political tensions have also risen since January after Ms Tsai's deputy Lai Ching-te - who Beijing regards as a "dangerous separatist" was elected as president, and amid an ongoing row between China and Taiwan over a fatal boat incident.

In the 24 hours leading up to 6am on March 22, the Ministry of National Defence said it had detected 36 Chinese military aircraft and six naval ships operating around Taiwan.

The ministry added that among the 36 military aircraft detected, 13 "crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait", the sensitive waterway separating China from Taiwan.