Taiwan's Defence Ministry reported that Chinese warplanes and warships carried out their first "combat patrol" of the New Year on Thursday. This development comes just days after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing, which has so far declined his overtures.
According to the ministry, 22 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets, participated in the operation, conducting patrols around Taiwan's airspace in the north, west, southwest, and east. Chinese warships were also observed in the area. Taiwanese forces were dispatched to monitor the situation closely.
China views Taiwan as its territory and regularly sends military assets into the region, often conducting what it calls "joint combat readiness patrols" multiple times a month. Beijing has repeatedly dismissed President Lai’s proposals for talks, labeling him a "separatist."
In his New Year’s Day address, Lai emphasized his government’s openness to dialogue, saying, "We hope to establish constructive exchanges with Beijing for the benefit of both sides." Despite his call for peace, tensions remain high.
The latest patrol follows a dramatic increase in military activity around Taiwan in recent years, including two large-scale Chinese war games in 2024.
China's Eastern Theatre Command released a New Year's video on Wednesday showcasing its military capabilities. The video included footage of Chinese warships and fighter jets, one of which appeared to be flying near a U.S. P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft over the Taiwan Strait. The video, set to Hong Kong pop star Andy Lau's song "Chinese," also featured clips of Chinese students visiting Taiwan in late 2024.
Taiwanese officials dismissed the video as a psychological warfare tactic. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated, "It is the People's Liberation Army showing its intimidation of Taiwan."
As military tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, with concerns that increased aggression in the Taiwan Strait could lead to a larger conflict.
China’s Defence Ministry has not yet responded to inquiries about the patrol.