China sends 37 aircraft and ships around Taiwan; Taiwan's military monitors closely

Sep 17, 2026

China kept up military pressure on Taiwan over the past day, sending dozens of warplanes and ships around the island in what it calls a "joint combat readiness patrol" — bad news for stability in the Taiwan Strait.

  • Taiwan's defense ministry tracked 28 Chinese military aircraft, 7 warships, and 2 government ships around the island in 24 hours.
  • Most of the planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and flew into airspace to Taiwan's north, center, southwest, and east.
  • China framed the moves as a "joint combat readiness patrol," with fighters and drones working alongside warships to harass the waters and skies around Taiwan.
  • Taiwan responded by scrambling aircraft, sending ships, and putting shore-based missile systems on watch.

Outlook: These patrols have become routine, so expect more of the same pressure around Taiwan in the days ahead.

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