By AFP and Focus | 2025-02-28

TAIPEI -- Taiwan said February 27 it detected 45 Chinese aircraft over 24 hours near the self-ruled island, the highest number this year.

Taipei condemned the exercises as a "dangerous provocation" and a violation of international norms, while China reiterated its refusal to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported that from 6am February 25 to 6am February 26, it detected 45 Chinese military aircraft and 14 warships near Taiwan.

Of these, 34 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern airspace.

The Chinese military also designated a drill zone and conducted "shooting training" in waters approximately 74km off Taiwan's southwestern coast, according to Taipei.

Taiwan's navy further released images of People's Liberation Army Navy vessels, including the Siming Shan amphibious warship and the Qiandaohu replenishment ship.

Taiwan's Presidential Office on February 27 issued a "severe condemnation" of China's actions, which it called a "blatant provocation."

Its Foreign Ministry urged the international community "to continue to pay attention to the security of the Taiwan Strait and the region."

Meanwhile, Taiwan's military responded by deploying naval and aerial assets to monitor and deter further Chinese incursions.

Use of force

China insists democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control.

Beijing has increased the deployment of fighter jets and naval vessels around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty, which Taipei rejects.

Senior US officials have previously warned that China's increasing military drills could serve as cover for an actual invasion or a blockade scenario.

The United States, Taiwan's most important security partner, has increased arms sales to the island despite Beijing's opposition.

Beijing rejected the "pure hype" from Taiwan over what it called "routine training."

Undersea cable

In a separate development, Taiwan detained a Chinese-crewed cargo ship on February 25 after a subsea telecom cable was severed off the island, the coast guard said.

It is the latest in a series of Taiwanese undersea cable breakages, with previous incidents blamed on natural causes or Chinese ships.

Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom reported the cable between Penghu, a strategic island group in the sensitive Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan was disconnected early February 25, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said.

Taipei was handling the case "in accordance with national security-level principles," it added.

"Whether the cause of the undersea cable breakage was intentional sabotage or a simple accident remains to be clarified by further investigation."

Taiwan fears China could sever its communication links as part of an attempt to seize the island or blockade it.