Taiwan Detects Heightened Chinese Military Presence Near Its Waters
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has reported a significant military presence by China in the vicinity of the island. As of 6 a.m. local time on Saturday, February 7, 2026, Taiwanese authorities detected six sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operating around Taiwan's territorial waters.
Incursions into Air Defense Identification Zone
Out of the six Chinese aircraft sorties, five were confirmed to have entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that they have been closely monitoring the situation and have taken appropriate response measures to ensure national security.
The ministry's post detailed: "6 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 6 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."
Previous Day's Military Activity
This latest incident follows a similar pattern observed just a day earlier. On Friday, February 6, 2026, Taiwan's defense ministry had detected eight PLA aircraft sorties and six PLAN vessels in the same region. Of those eight sorties, six crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ, indicating a persistent and escalating pattern of Chinese military maneuvers near the island.
The ministry had previously stated on X: "8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."
Broader Geopolitical Context
These military developments occur against a backdrop of ongoing diplomatic engagements between the United States and China. Recently, the United States convened a meeting with several nations to discuss critical minerals, a strategic move perceived as an effort to counter China's dominant position in this sector. Concurrently, US President Donald Trump engaged in a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump described the call as "excellent" and "long and thorough," covering a wide range of topics including trade, military affairs, and Taiwan. He confirmed plans for a visit to China in April and expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship, stating, "The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one." This dialogue highlights the complex interplay between military posturing and diplomatic efforts in the region.
The repeated incursions by Chinese military assets into Taiwan's ADIZ underscore the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, has consistently defended its sovereignty and monitored such activities closely. The international community remains watchful of these developments, given their potential implications for regional stability and global geopolitics.
