Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has revealed that China recently sent 43 military aircraft and seven ships near the self-ruled island, a concerning development in Beijing’s ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation. Within 24 hours up to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, 37 of these aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line, a boundary no longer recognized by China. Taiwan responded with standard measures, including scrambling jet fighters and activating missile systems, to counter these activities. These maneuvers have intensified since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022. Despite these threats, Taiwan remains committed to its de-facto independence, bolstering its defense budget and cooperation with the U.S.