Chinese Air, Naval Operations Around Taiwan, Japan; Joint Balikatan 25 Regional Exercises
Deploying forces daily to respond to Chinese activities around the island exacts a considerable toll on Taiwan’s resources and finances.
INDO-PACIFIC — Over the four days from April 28 to May 1, 2025, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a total of 110 aircraft sorties around Taiwan, with 88 of these crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
Each day, there was also a consistent naval presence of 8–10 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) responded with combat air patrols (CAP), naval ships, and coastal missile systems, closely monitoring the situation. These operations peaked on May 1 with 34 sorties, reflecting heightened tensions likely aimed at pressuring Taiwan amid broader strategic maneuvers in the Indo-Pacific region.
From April 23 to 25, 2025, the Chinese aircraft carrier "Shandong" was observed sailing in the Pacific Ocean near Taiwan, with Japan’s Joint Staff confirming takeoffs and landings of carrier-based fighter jets during this period. On April 25, the carrier shifted its course toward the South China Sea, marking its last reported presence near Taiwan at that time.
Additionally, on April 1, 2025, the "Shandong" participated in the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercise, though specific details about its proximity to Taiwan on that date remain unclear. These sightings highlight the carrier’s active operations in the region during early 2025, with the April 23–25 period providing the most detailed account of its movements near Taiwan.
Concurrently, the Balikatan 25 exercise, involving the United States, the Philippines, Australia, and Japan, concluded on May 1, enhancing allied interoperability and deterrence in the South China Sea, as reported by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Japan’s Joint Staff.
Clarification of Key Terms
The following definitions ensure clarity and serve as a standalone reference for terms used in this report:
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ): A self-declared area extending beyond a nation’s territorial airspace (12 nautical miles (22 km) from the coast) where aircraft are requested to identify themselves for security purposes. Incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ—covering northern, central, southwestern, and eastern sectors—are not violations of sovereign airspace under international law but are considered provocative when unannounced.
Median Line: An informal boundary in the Taiwan Strait, historically respected by China and Taiwan to avoid confrontation. PLA aircraft crossing this line into Taiwan’s ADIZ challenges this status quo, though it does not breach territorial airspace unless within 12 nautical miles (22 km) of Taiwan’s coast.
Incursions: PLA aircraft entering Taiwan’s ADIZ, often involving median line crossings, distinct from territorial airspace violations.
Grey Zone Tactics: Coercive actions below the threshold of open warfare, designed to intimidate, exhaust Taiwan’s defenses, and normalize China’s military presence without triggering full-scale conflict.
Republic of China (ROC): The official name for Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed as a breakaway province by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
People’s Republic of China (PRC): Mainland China, governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), asserting sovereignty over Taiwan.
People’s Liberation Army (PLA): The PRC’s armed forces, encompassing army, navy, air force, and other branches, responsible for operations around Taiwan’s ADIZ.
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF): The PLA’s air force branch, operating aircraft involved in ADIZ incursions.
Territorial Airspace: Sovereign airspace extending 12 nautical miles (22 km) from a nation’s coastline, recognized under international law, distinct from the ADIZ.
Taiwan Strait: The 180 km (110 miles) wide waterway separating Taiwan from mainland China, containing the Median Line.
Strait of Taiwan: Synonymous with Taiwan Strait.
Sovereign Airspace: Airspace above a nation’s land and territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles), under full legal control, unlike the ADIZ.
Normalization: The process by which repeated PLA incursions may desensitize Taiwan and its allies to China’s military presence.
Chinese Communist Party (CCP): The PRC’s ruling party, directing the PLA and shaping Taiwan policy.
ROC MND: Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, overseeing defensive responses.
Explanation of Normalization in Context, Full Report, Analysis:
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Standeford Journal - News, Intel Analysis to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.