Taiwan flags massive PLA naval mobilisation, spike in air sorties

The maritime deployment overlapped with a sharp spike in PLA aerial activity near the island. Taiwan’s defence ministry reported 49 sorties of PLA aircraft in the 24 hours to 6am on Tuesday, marking the highest single-day total this year. The number dropped to 22 by Wednesday morning.

The widespread maritime deployment was disclosed late on Tuesday on social media by Joseph Wu, head of Taiwan’s National Security Council, who wrote: “Taiwan is staying vigilant. We won’t provoke, but we won’t bow to any pressure.”