Chinese military drones circle Taiwan following Japan-PH drills

The Taipei Times reported that Chinese military drones were soaring around Taiwan’s perimeter following the recent Philippines-Japan drills. 

Institute for National Defense and Security Research fellow Su Tzu-yun said China likely conducted these maneuvers to intimidate the Taiwanese public. 

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Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu recommended improving the country’s defense capabilities to prepare further against Chinese threats. 

More info regarding the Chinese military drones

The Taipei Times reported that the Defense Ministry found two sorties of Chinese drones flying around Taiwan’s perimeter last Saturday.

Coincidentally, 31 Chinese military aircraft and 12 Chinese warships were operating in and near the Taiwan Strait during the drone maneuvers.

Institute for National Defense and Security Research fellow Su Tzu-yun said China likely sent drones to show defiance against nations fortifying alliances.

Specifically, the drones were likely a show of defiance toward the US’ two-plus-two talks with India and Australia. 

Interesting Engineering shared another analysis from Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor. 

Zhongping said the Chinese military drones were likely conducting a reconnaissance mission on the Japan-Philippines joint drill, which occurred on August 2, 2024.

“This activity was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

The Chinese military drones might have been collecting electronic spectrum signals and information on nearby weapons and aircraft. 

On the other hand, the South China Morning Post says these are routine patrols by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Beijing considers the airspace as its own since it believes Taiwan is part of China.

Collin Koh, a senior fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the drone patrols were not just “pure surveillance.” 

They were likely intended for “evaluating [Taiwan’s] responsiveness and ability to cope with multiple threats from different directions.”