The US State Department has expressed concern over a material increase in Chinese breaches of Taiwanese airspace.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has reported a spike in PLA activity over the country’s south-west air defence identification zone, with eight incidents recorded since the start of October.

This has included the detection of Shenyang J-16 and Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets, Shaanxi Y-8 ASW maritime patrol aircraft, Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and Xian H-6 bombers.

In response, the Taiwanese military has deployed combat air patrol platforms, issued radio warnings, and prepared air defence missile systems.

The surge in military activity has sparked fears of an imminent conflict, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “provocative military activity”.

“As we’ve said, the activity is destabilising, it risks miscalculation, and it has the potential to undermine regional peace and stability,” Secretary Blinken said.

“So, we strongly urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure and coercion directed at Taiwan.”