Taiwan's defence ministry reported significant Chinese military movements around the island nation on Wednesday, December 24. This development coincides with a new report from a key US congressional committee urging immediate action to bolster deterrence in the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese Military Activity Detected
As of 6 am local time on Wednesday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked five sorties of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship operating in areas around Taiwan. The ministry stated that one of the five aircraft sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the nation's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
"We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND said in a post on the social media platform X. This activity follows similar patrols detected a day earlier, on Tuesday, when six PLA aircraft and six naval vessels were observed. On that occasion, two of the six aircraft sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ.
US Committee Calls for Enhanced Deterrence
Amid these ongoing tensions, the bipartisan US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party released a critical report titled "Ten More for Taiwan." The document outlines urgent steps Washington must take to strengthen deterrence against potential Chinese aggression towards Taiwan and preserve stability in the region.
Released jointly by Committee Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, the report builds on an earlier framework. It warns that developments since the initial report have significantly increased the risk of conflict, making comprehensive action necessary. The committee's primary objective is to prevent war, stressing that effective deterrence requires the urgent use of all elements of US national power—military, economic, political, and diplomatic.
The report advocates for deeper cooperation between the United States and Taiwan across multiple fronts, including defence, trade, technology, and political engagement.
A Pattern of Pressure
The regular incursions by Chinese military assets into zones near Taiwan represent a sustained pattern of pressure. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. In contrast, Taiwan's government maintains that it is already a sovereign state. The United States, while officially adhering to a "One China" policy, is legally bound to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
The new US congressional report signals a growing consensus in Washington about the need to visibly bolster Taiwan's defensive capabilities and clarify the costs of any military action to Beijing. The situation remains a delicate and potentially volatile flashpoint in Indo-Pacific geopolitics.
