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Taiwan Tracks 5 Chinese Warships Amid Regional Naval Activity

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting five Chinese naval vessels operating around its waters. This follows an incident the previous day where Chinese military aircraft crossed into Taiwan's northern air defense zone. The report coincides with news that an Australian warship recently transited the Taiwan Strait, an action monitored by China's military. Multiple nations, including the US and UK, have conducted naval passages through the strategic waterway in the past year.

Key Points: Taiwan Detects Chinese Naval Vessels Near Its Waters

  • 5 Chinese naval vessels detected
  • No PLA aircraft in latest patrol
  • Previous day saw aircraft incursion
  • Australian warship transited strait
  • Beijing claims strait as its waters
3 min read

Taiwan detects five Chinese naval vessels operating around its territory

Taiwan's defense ministry reports five Chinese naval ships operating nearby, following recent air incursions and allied transits through the Taiwan Strait.

"ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded. - Taiwan MND"

Taipei, February 23

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on Monday said it detected the presence of five Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am.

According to a post on X, the Taiwanese MND detected no Chinese military aircraft during the timeframe, as there was an absence of PLA aircraft operating around the territory.

"5 PLAN vessel operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded. Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe," the MND stated in a post on X.

Earlier on Sunday, the Taiwanese MND detected the presence of two sorties of Chinese military aircraft and six Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time).

One out of the two sorties of PLA aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

"2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 2 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded," the MND stated in a post on X.

Meanwhile, an Anzac-class warship of Australia, an ally of the US, transited through the Taiwan Strait, a Chinese military source told State media, which said that the frigate was tracked and monitored throughout the transit.

A Chinese military source told the Global Times that on February 20 and February 21, the Royal Australian Navy warship, the HMAS Toowoomba, transited the Taiwan Straits.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out full-process tracking, monitoring, and alert operations throughout the transit, Chinese state media reported.

A December 2025 report in the Taipei Times said that eight countries sent military vessels through the Taiwan Strait last year.

The US, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the UK and France all sent military vessels through the Taiwan Strait this year (2025), Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen had said in December, as reported by the Taipei Times.

The official futher said that two joint operations by the US and UK, as well as Canada and Australia, were also held.

Beijing views the strategic strait as Chinese territorial waters, which Taiwan contests.

Earlier, between January 16 and January 17, US naval vessels Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113 ) and Pathfinder-class oceanographic survey ship USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65) transited the Taiwan Strait, according to a statement by the US 7th Fleet.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
From a strategic perspective, it's concerning to see so many foreign navies transiting the strait. It feels like the region is becoming a playground for great power competition, which never ends well for smaller nations caught in the middle.
P
Priyanka N
As an Indian, I see parallels with our own challenges. Stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial for global trade, including ours. The involvement of Australia, UK, US etc. shows this is now a global flashpoint. Hope diplomacy prevails. 🙏
R
Rahul R
The article mentions 8 countries sent vessels this year. This isn't just about China-Taiwan anymore; it's about freedom of navigation and a rules-based order. China's response of tracking every ship shows how tense things are.
A
Aman W
Honestly, the Taiwanese defense ministry seems very transparent with their reports. Detecting 5 vessels one day, 2 aircraft another... they are on high alert. This daily tension must be exhausting for the people living there.
K
Kiran H
While I respect China's territorial claims, the constant military activity is an overreaction. The world sees Taiwan as a de-facto separate entity. Instead of ships, maybe send cultural and trade delegations? Soft power could work better here.

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