Taiwan detects 16 Chinese aircraft, 8 vessels and 1 ship operating near its shores

Taipei has reported the detection of 16 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship operating in proximity to its territorial waters as of 6 a.m. local time on October 12, 2025, reports 24brussels. The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed that 13 of the 16 aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

The MND stated in a post on X, “16 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”

16 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/Z8FzmBgRS8

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) October 12, 2025

On October 11, the MND had already identified eight naval vessels and one official ship. Three out of seven previously detected sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. The MND declared, “7 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 7 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”

7 sorties of PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 out of 7 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/SWU2K2CCIq

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) October 11, 2025

Amid these developments, a prominent Taiwanese defense analyst has dismissed claims that China can effectively blockade Taiwan using only a limited number of submarines. Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University, Alexander Huang, a strategic studies scholar, argued against assertions made by China affairs expert Willy Lam, who had contended that a naval blockade could be established by deploying just four or five submarines.

Huang emphasized the logistical challenges of sustaining such a blockade. “A nuclear submarine can stay submerged for extended periods, but the crew still needs food, rest, and rotation. No vessel can maintain its position forever,” he explained. He further cautioned that any attempted blockade would expose Chinese submarines to considerable risks, stating, “It’s not only about sustaining the blockade, but also about whether those submarines could return safely. Other nations’ naval forces could easily obstruct their path back to Chinese ports,” adding that Taiwan has the capability to respond if necessary.