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

The Ministry of National Defense stated that 26 of the 30 aircraft from the People's Liberation Army crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait into the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern parts of the country's air defense identification zone, according to Taiwan News on Friday.

In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems to monitor the activity of the People's Liberation Army, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has detected Chinese military aircraft 35 times and vessels 23 times so far this month. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray-zone tactics by gradually raising 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 that go beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance to achieve a state's security goals without resorting to the direct and large-scale use of force.'

Taiwan's 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 blockade of Taiwan.

It is noted that Taiwan conducted military exercises on June 22 for five days in response 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 military aircraft toward Taiwan in military exercises that have become more frequent in recent years, occurring almost daily.