Intensifying Military Operations Near Taiwan: PLA Activity and Strategic Developments May 12–14, 2025
Aircraft detections rose from 5 on May 11 to 36 on May 12, stabilizing at 31–35 through May 14. Crossings peaked at 97% (30 out of 31) on May 13, with ADIZ entries expanding across multiple sectors.
TAIWAN — After a period of relative calm, Chinese air and naval activity surged around Taiwan from May 12 to May 14, 2025. Taiwan’s military reported numerous Chinese military aircraft, naval vessels, and official ships spotted, with many aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait’s median line and entering Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
On May 13, 2025, the ministry confirmed a carrier rocket launch by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) passing through Taiwan’s ADIZ. The ROC Armed Forces monitored these events and deployed appropriate responses.
Summary Activities
From May 12 to May 14, 2025, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense documented a marked increase in PLA and PLAN operations around Taiwan. The number of detected PLA aircraft peaked at 36 on May 12, with significant median line crossings and ADIZ entries occurring daily.
On May 13, a HIMARS rocket launch by the Taiwanese military, showcasing "rapid deployment," introduced a new element to the activities, as noted in a press release by the ministry.
