Hungary can leapfrog Armenia in the race for a spot at the 2026 World Cup if it manages a victory in Budapest on Saturday.
Taiwan detects 7 Chinese aircraft, 8 vessels, 1 ship around nation
Taipei has detected seven sorties of Chinese military aircraft, eight military vessels, and one official ship around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Saturday, reports 24brussels. According to the Ministry of National Defense (MND), of the seven sorties, three crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The MND stated via a post on X, “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
On the previous day, the MND reported that eight sorties of PLA aircraft and nine vessels were detected. Four of these sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. The MND remarked, “8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/nvmohKkx6K
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan)
A prominent Taiwanese defense analyst has dismissed claims that China could effectively blockade Taiwan using only a handful of submarines. Alexander Huang, a strategic studies scholar at Tamkang University, argued at a seminar hosted by the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University that a naval blockade is both logistically and strategically unfeasible. His remarks followed a statement by China affairs expert Willy Lam, who suggested that China could impose a blockade with merely four or five submarines.
Huang pointed to the operational limitations even nuclear-powered submarines face, stating, “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 emphasized that any attempt at a blockade would place Chinese submarines at significant risk, adding, “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,” while reiterating that Taiwan retains the capability to counter if necessary.