In Photos: Taiwan detects 77 Chinese aircraft, 17 naval vessels amid PLA drills

Updated On: 31 December, 2025 02:17 PM IST | ronak mastakar

Taiwan`s Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Wednesday said it detected 77 Chinese military aircraft and 17 naval vessels operating around the island as of 6 am local time, amid ongoing military drills by China`s People`s Liberation Army (PLA). (Pics/AFP)

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<p>In a post on X, the MND said that 35 of the 77 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan`s northern, central and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).</p>

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In a post on X, the MND said that 35 of the 77 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan`s northern, central and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

<p>"77 PLA aircraft, 17 PLAN vessels and 8 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 35 out of 77 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan`s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the ministry said.</p>

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"77 PLA aircraft, 17 PLAN vessels and 8 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 35 out of 77 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan`s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the ministry said.

<p>The latest activity comes after the PLA`s Eastern Theatre Command conducted military drills in waters east of Taiwan, which it described as an all-dimensional force projection.</p>

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The latest activity comes after the PLA`s Eastern Theatre Command conducted military drills in waters east of Taiwan, which it described as an all-dimensional force projection.

<p>Taiwan`s Minister of National Defence Wellington Koo on Tuesday said that the PLA`s actions pose a risk to regional stability. According to Taiwan`s MND, Koo said the drills also threaten civilian maritime and air traffic.</p>

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Taiwan`s Minister of National Defence Wellington Koo on Tuesday said that the PLA`s actions pose a risk to regional stability. According to Taiwan`s MND, Koo said the drills also threaten civilian maritime and air traffic.

<p>"Minister of National Defence Wellington Koo said today that the PLA`s provocative actions threaten regional stability and civilian traffic. Following the President`s guidance, the ROC Armed Forces will respond calmly and safeguard our nation`s security and democracy," the MND said in a separate post.</p>

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"Minister of National Defence Wellington Koo said today that the PLA`s provocative actions threaten regional stability and civilian traffic. Following the President`s guidance, the ROC Armed Forces will respond calmly and safeguard our nation`s security and democracy," the MND said in a separate post.

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In Photos: Taiwan detects 77 Chinese aircraft, 17 naval vessels amid PLA drills

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