Taipei: On Thursday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced increased Chinese military activities in the vicinity of its territory.

Up to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today, six PLA planes and five PLAN ships were seen flying over Taiwan. Three of the planes entered Taiwan’s northern and southern ADIZ after crossing the median line. During this period, three PRC balloons were found,” MND wrote on X.

There are now more worries about Beijing’s intentions in the area as a result of the Chinese military’s increasing presence close to Taiwan.

The number of Chinese intrusions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) has been gradually rising. A change in Beijing’s approach to Taiwan is shown by the increased frequency of Chinese aircraft crossing the median line, which was previously thought to be an unofficial border.

Concerns over the extent of China’s surveillance and reconnaissance activities are further heightened by the discovery of three PRC balloons during this time frame. The defense forces of Taiwan are still on guard, keeping an eye on these continuing events and reacting accordingly.

Concerns over the stability of the area have increased as a result of this latest episode, which is part of a larger trend of China’s military actions becoming more intense. It is believed that Beijing is attempting to exercise control over Taiwan by increasing its air and naval presence in the area.

China claims that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory and that it would not rule out using force to bring about reunification, despite Taiwan’s and the international community’s repeated protests. Growing concerns about a possible confrontation in the Taiwan Strait that would destabilize the whole area have been triggered by this ongoing escalation.

In a phone conversation with his Chinese colleague Wang Yi earlier Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed worries about Beijing’s activities toward Taiwan. According to State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce, Rubio emphasized the US’ “commitment to our allies in the region and serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea,” as reported by Focus Taiwan, which cited the US Department of State.

Rubio was also cited by Bruce as saying that the United States would seek a partnership with Beijing that “advances US interests and puts the American people first.” This was Rubio’s first call to Wang as Secretary of State.