The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stated that from 6 a.m. on the 23rd to 6 a.m. today (24th), a total of 32 incidents of Chinese military aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait were detected, and the national military employed joint measures to closely monitor and respond to them.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China today released information on the dynamic activities of Chinese military aircraft in the airspace surrounding Taiwan. Within the 24-hour period starting from 6 a.m. on the 23rd, a total of 38 incidents of Chinese military aircraft were detected, with 32 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and its extensions, entering airspace in the north, central, southwest, southeast, and east regions, along with 12 incidents of Chinese military vessels conducting activities around the Taiwan Strait.
The Taiwan Ministry of Defense pointed out that the national military is using reconnaissance planes, ships, and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and respond to these activities.
Additionally, the Taiwan Ministry of Defense stated that since 7:20 a.m. on the 23rd, a total of 27 incidents of various types of Chinese fighter jets, reconnaissance planes, and drones, including J-16 and KJ-500, have been detected conducting activities at sea. Among them, 23 incidents crossed the median line and its extensions, entering airspace in the north, central, southwest, and east regions of Taiwan, in coordination with Chinese naval vessels performing “joint combat readiness patrols.”
The Taiwan Ministry of Defense emphasized that the national military is closely monitoring through joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance means, and deploying reconnaissance planes, ships, and shore-based missile systems to respond appropriately.
In response to the continuous provocations by Chinese military aircraft and vessels near Taiwan on a nearly daily basis, the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China approved the central government’s total annual budget for 114 (2025), with the national defense budget for the upcoming year reaching NT$647 billion (approximately US$21.34 billion), accounting for about 2.45% of GDP, reaching a record high.
On the 22nd, the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China also approved a submarine plan to build a total of seven new submarines for mass production, with the construction period scheduled from 114 to 127 (2038), involving a total budget of NT$284.08 billion (approximately US$9.83 billion), with an allocation of NT$2 billion (approximately US$66 million) for the 114th fiscal year.
Regarding the record-high national defense budget for the upcoming year, the Taiwan Ministry of Defense stated that it is not only to meet personnel maintenance and legal obligations but also to focus on continuing the development of domestic defense industry, maintaining equipment properly, accelerating the enhancement of asymmetric warfare capabilities, reserve forces, and operational command resilience.
The Taiwan Ministry of Defense emphasized that the defense budget is carefully allocated based on defense operational requirements, taking into account the overall fiscal situation and governance planning of the government. In response to the changing regional security situation, the national military is steadfastly advancing various military preparedness efforts to ensure national security.