China has launched its largest aerial incursion near Taiwan since October, sending a strong message in response to recent geopolitical developments involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, 46 Chinese military aircraft crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait in the 24 hours leading up to Friday morning. The ministry reported that Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored the situation and “responded accordingly,” though it did not provide further details on the nature of the response.

This aggressive military maneuver comes on the heels of a rare and high-profile meeting in Taipei between U.S. lawmakers and Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo earlier in the week. China has strongly condemned such interactions, maintaining that countries with formal diplomatic ties to Beijing—like the United States—should refrain from any official engagement with Taiwan. Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary, a claim firmly rejected by the democratically governed island.

The situation has further intensified amid global tensions, particularly as the United States contemplates possible military action against Iran. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has instructed his national security team to stay fully informed of evolving international developments. Officials in Taipei have expressed long-standing concerns that Beijing might escalate military pressure on Taiwan during periods when the U.S. is preoccupied with other global conflicts.

In a related show of regional presence, Japan recently sent a destroyer through the Taiwan Strait, marking the third such passage by Japanese naval forces in the past year, as reported by Kyodo News. Earlier this month, Japan also observed two Chinese aircraft carriers operating in tandem with support ships near its remote Pacific islands—a first-time occurrence that highlights China’s growing naval strength.

Adding to the rising tensions, the United Kingdom also sailed a naval vessel through the Taiwan Strait, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing. The Chinese government labeled the move a “provocation” and accused the UK of destabilizing the region. In response, China’s military issued a statement vowing to stay on high alert and counter any perceived threats. 

Disclaimer:This image is taken from Bloomberg.