China Escalates Military Presence Near Taiwan with 59 Warplanes and 23 Naval Vessels

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity on Thursday, following the conclusion of a second consecutive day of war games conducted by Beijing.

The ministry confirmed it had tracked 59 Chinese warplanes and 23 naval vessels operating around the self-governed island within a 24-hour window, marking an uptick in naval presence compared to the previous day.

Beijing's large-scale drills, dubbed Strait Thunder-2025A, officially wrapped up late Wednesday. The exercises included live-fire operations, some of which were staged far to Taiwan’s north.

China claimed the maneuvers were a direct response to what it labeled as "provocations" by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, who was elected last year and is openly viewed.