Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced Sunday that it had detected 26 sorties of Chinese People's Liberation Army aircraft and seven People's Liberation Army Navy vessels operating around the island up until 6 a.m. local time. Of those aircraft, 16 entered Taiwan's northern, central, and southwestern air defense identification zones, prompting Taiwan's armed forces to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

The activity marks a return to large-scale Chinese air operations near Taiwan after an unusual two-week lull. From February 27 until March 7, Taiwan reported no PLA aircraft in its ADIZ, with only sporadic small-scale detections afterward, such as two planes on March 7 far to the southwest. The last comparable incursion occurred on February 25, when Taiwan spotted 30 aircraft during a Chinese 'joint combat readiness patrol.'

The aircraft were concentrated in the Taiwan Strait, according to the ministry's daily update issued Sunday morning. Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo noted that while the aircraft incursions had paused, Chinese warships continued operating around the island, underscoring that Beijing's threat persisted.

China provided no official explanation for the recent absence or the resumption of flights. Analysts in Taipei speculated on possible motives, including Beijing recalibrating its pressure tactics ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned visit to China starting March 31 or internal military purges by President Xi Jinping. The pause followed a period of reduced activity earlier in 2026, with PLA flights dropping compared to previous years, though naval presence remained steady.

Taiwan's government has rejected China's sovereignty claims over the island. Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office recently criticized President Lai Ching-te's speech advocating increased defense spending, warning that 'people like Lai Ching-te should not miscalculate; if they dare to take reckless risks, they will dig their own grave.'

Such incursions have become routine since 2020, with China using them to assert its claims and test Taiwan's responses. Taiwan typically scrambles fighters and surveillance assets in reaction, but has avoided direct intercepts to prevent escalation. The latest event follows smaller detections, including five aircraft on Thursday, three of which crossed the median line of the strait.

The resumption heightens concerns amid ongoing cross-strait tensions, as Taiwan bolsters its defenses and seeks international support.