Taiwan Monitors Second Chinese 'Combat' Patrol in a Week, Sends Ships and Jets to Keep Tabs
Taiwan's defense ministry sends ships and fighter jets to monitor the second consecutive week of Chinese 'joint combat readiness patrols' near the island.
May 26, 2026: Taiwan has dispatched its naval and air forces to closely monitor what is now the second Chinese 'joint combat readiness patrol' in a week taking place near the island.
This heightened surveillance by Taipei reflects growing concern over China's increased military presence around Taiwan.
The situation remains tense as President Xi Jinping recently discussed Taiwan with U.S. President Donald Trump, further escalating Beijing's aggressive posture towards the democratically governed territory.
China asserts that Taiwan is its own territory and frequently sends warships and warplanes to operate near the island on a nearly daily basis.
Taiwan categorically rejects these sovereignty claims.
On Monday night, Taiwan's defense ministry reported that it detected 21 Chinese aircraft, including J-16 fighters and drones, encircling the entire island along with accompanying warships.
The operation was described as another 'joint combat readiness patrol'.
China's defense ministry has not commented on this development.
To substantiate its claims, Taiwan's defense ministry released three images: one showing F-16 jets trailing a Y-20 aerial refueling aircraft and two others depicting the Taiwanese military's observation of a Chinese warship, the Yinchuan.
Pan Chun-kuang from Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense Intelligence Department informed reporters in Taipei on Tuesday that the recent 'combat patrol' by China has concluded.
However, Taiwan continues to monitor the movements of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier operating in the Western Pacific and will release further details as necessary, he added.
This patrol comes shortly after a similar readiness exercise last week, which occurred the day before President Lai Ching-te marked his second anniversary in office.
China has dismissed Lai as a 'separatist' and has declined offers from him for dialogue.
Over the weekend, Taiwan reported an encounter between its coast guard and a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Pratas Islands, which are controlled by Taiwan but strategically located at the edge of the South China Sea.
Additionally, Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu publicly stated that around 100 Chinese ships were present within the first island chain—an area including Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
This heightened surveillance by Taipei reflects growing concern over China's increased military presence around Taiwan.
The situation remains tense as President Xi Jinping recently discussed Taiwan with U.S. President Donald Trump, further escalating Beijing's aggressive posture towards the democratically governed territory.
China asserts that Taiwan is its own territory and frequently sends warships and warplanes to operate near the island on a nearly daily basis.
Taiwan categorically rejects these sovereignty claims.
On Monday night, Taiwan's defense ministry reported that it detected 21 Chinese aircraft, including J-16 fighters and drones, encircling the entire island along with accompanying warships.
The operation was described as another 'joint combat readiness patrol'.
China's defense ministry has not commented on this development.
To substantiate its claims, Taiwan's defense ministry released three images: one showing F-16 jets trailing a Y-20 aerial refueling aircraft and two others depicting the Taiwanese military's observation of a Chinese warship, the Yinchuan.
Pan Chun-kuang from Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense Intelligence Department informed reporters in Taipei on Tuesday that the recent 'combat patrol' by China has concluded.
However, Taiwan continues to monitor the movements of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier operating in the Western Pacific and will release further details as necessary, he added.
This patrol comes shortly after a similar readiness exercise last week, which occurred the day before President Lai Ching-te marked his second anniversary in office.
China has dismissed Lai as a 'separatist' and has declined offers from him for dialogue.
Over the weekend, Taiwan reported an encounter between its coast guard and a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Pratas Islands, which are controlled by Taiwan but strategically located at the edge of the South China Sea.
Additionally, Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu publicly stated that around 100 Chinese ships were present within the first island chain—an area including Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
