A sharp rise in Chinese fighter jets breaching Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) has turned the Taiwan Strait into a hotspot of military tension. Data from the Democratic Progressive Party’s China Affairs Department reveals incursions have surged approximately 15-fold since 2020, transforming occasional provocations into daily realities.
Starting at 380 flights in 2020, the pace accelerated dramatically: nearly 1,000 in 2021, over 1,700 in 2022, leaping to 4,700-plus in 2023, 5,100 in 2024, and peaking at 5,709 in 2025. Local outlets like the Taipei Times highlight how these flights now define routine Chinese operations in the strait.
Analysts interpret this as Beijing’s blueprint for reshaping regional dynamics, with Taiwan as the pivotal battleground. The report accuses China of orchestrating ‘gray zone’ tactics to test defenses, exhaust security assets, and encroach on established boundaries without triggering full conflict.
High-profile exercises in 2025, including ‘Strait Thunder-2025A’ and ‘Justice Mission 2025,’ simulated blockades and assaults mere kilometers from Taiwan’s maritime and aerial borders. These events, part of a pattern spanning multiple seas, signal China’s expansive designs, amplified by its grand Victory Day military showcase.
Parallel to aerial threats, cognitive warfare looms large. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau detailed how Beijing deploys fake news sites and bot armies—over 45,000 accounts disseminating 2.3 million falsehoods—to manipulate minds and fracture society.
Firms disguised as marketing entities craft appealing facades, gradually steering audiences toward pro-unification views. The goal: undermine morale, divide the populace, and erode international support. In response, Taiwan is forging alliances with tech platforms and verifiers to dismantle this digital assault.
This dual-pronged strategy demands vigilance. As China normalizes intimidation, Taiwan’s resolve—and global awareness—will determine the strait’s future peace.
