Taiwan announced on Thursday, December 12, that 16 Chinese warships had been detected in waters surrounding the island, one of the highest numbers recorded this year, as Beijing continues to escalate military pressure on Taipei.

In the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 am local time (2200 GMT), the Taiwanese defense ministry also reported the presence of 34 Chinese aircraft in the region.

Earlier this week, Taiwan revealed that Beijing has been conducting its largest maritime drills in years, spanning areas from Japan’s southern islands to the South China Sea.

A Taiwanese security official stated that approximately 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels were involved, simulating attacks on foreign vessels and rehearsing blockades of key sea routes.

While China has not officially confirmed these drills, nor has its military or state media commented on increased activity in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, or South China Sea, experts suggest the exercises are a show of force following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent Pacific tour, which included two stops in U.S. territory. Beijing has condemned Lai’s trip, asserting its claims over Taiwan.

The drills are reportedly larger than those conducted in response to former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in 2022.

According to a security official, the exercises were planned in October to demonstrate China’s ability to blockade Taiwan and send a strong warning to the next U.S. administration.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized the military activity, calling China a “troublemaker,” while Beijing’s foreign ministry, without confirming the drills, shifted blame onto Taiwan.

James Char, a military expert at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, noted that Beijing’s silence is strategic. “This is another way for the mainland to assert its stance, reinforcing its claim over the waters and airspace around Taiwan,” Char explained.

The 16 warships reported on Thursday mark the highest number detected since May 25, when 27 vessels were observed during military drills shortly after Lai’s inauguration.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has not ruled out using force to achieve unification. Taiwan continues to face growing military threats as Beijing ramps up deployments near the island and opposes any international recognition or official interactions between Taipei and Washington.