Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. yesterday (Thursday) and 6 a.m. today (Friday).

The ministry said 26 of the 30 People's Liberation Army aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone, according to Taiwan News on Friday.

In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, warships and coastal missile systems to monitor the activities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA).

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has detected Chinese military aircraft 35 times and ships 23 times so far this month. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray-zone tactics by gradually increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan.

30 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 5 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 26 out of 30 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored... pic.twitter.com/YWQcMclw5H

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) (@MoNDefense) July 3, 2026

The International Institute for Strategic Studies defines gray-zone tactics as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that seeks to achieve a state's security objectives without resorting to the direct and large-scale use of force."

The Central News Agency (CNA) reported last Friday that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te instructed relevant authorities to strengthen maritime coordination, commercial communications and drone reconnaissance capabilities following a drill simulating a Chinese-imposed blockade on Taiwan.

It is noted that Taiwan conducted military exercises on June 22 for five days to respond to any Chinese attack.

China claims the self-governing island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under Beijing's control. China regularly sends naval vessels and warplanes near Taiwan in military drills that have become more frequent in recent years, occurring almost daily.