Chinese aircraft near Taiwan again: Beijing breaks calm ahead of meeting with Trump
Illustrative photo: Chinese aircraft spotted near Taiwan again (Getty Images)
From Wednesday morning to Thursday morning, five aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) were detected in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. Three of them crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which serves as an unofficial boundary.
This activity broke a period of calm, the reasons for which Beijing did not explain. In Taipei, it was suggested that the pause might have been a tactical move to reduce tensions ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Xi Jinping.
At the same time as China’s actions, the US Navy dispatched a P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft across the Taiwan Strait. The US military stated that this flight demonstrates its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Chinese state media reported that the PLA monitored the American aircraft.
Taiwan’s status remains one of the most sensitive issues in US–China relations. Earlier, it became known that the Trump administration postponed a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Taipei to ensure the president’s visit to China would go smoothly.
During a February conversation, Xi Jinping warned Trump that China would never allow the island’s separation and called on the US to exercise "utmost caution" regarding military aid to Taiwan.
Tensions between China and Taiwan
Since the beginning of 2026, the situation around Taiwan has been highly tense. On January 1, the US urged Beijing to show restraint and engage in open dialogue to preserve peace after China launched large-scale military exercises near Taiwan, raising regional tensions.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, in turn, stated his readiness to defend the country’s sovereignty and strengthen its defense capabilities in response to China’s growing aggression.
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Minister announced plans for "reunification" with Taiwan and warned the US of potential consequences if it provides military assistance to Taipei. Beijing promised a "strong response" to countries supplying arms to Taiwan.
