Taipei recorded significant military activity on October 7, with Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) detecting three sorties of Chinese military aircraft and seven Chinese naval vessels in its territorial waters by 6 a.m. local time, reports 24brussels.

The MND confirmed its response to the developments, stating, “3 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.” The increased military presence underscores ongoing tensions in the Strait.

This latest incident follows a similar pattern observed the previous day, when the MND reported ten sorties of Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels. Notably, seven of the ten sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The MND reiterated its vigilance, saying, “10 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 out of 10 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

In addition to these military movements, recent reports indicate that Chinese vessels are using deceptive tactics in Taiwan’s waters. As part of cognitive warfare efforts, these ships have been broadcasting false Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals to assess Taiwan’s military responses to different incursions. According to the Institute for the Study of War, instances of Chinese fishing vessels imitating both Russian and Chinese law enforcement vessels have been observed.

The Taipei Times reported that data from Starboard Maritime Intelligence points to the fishing vessel Min Shi Yu 06718 navigating through the Taiwan Strait while periodically emitting AIS signals for itself and another vessel, Hai Xun 15012. The latter is typically operated by the China Maritime Safety Administration, indicating the potential for a fishing vessel to impersonate a CMSA ship in this context, rather than the reverse.