TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense announced on Monday that China has declared seven reserved zones, with some near Taiwan, as part of large-scale military exercises.

On Sunday, the area control center for Shanghai posted a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) announcing seven reserved airspace areas. The next day, the MND said that the PLA had designated the seven zones west and northwest of Taiwan from Monday to Wednesday.

Vietnamese journalist Duan Dong created a map of the seven areas based on the coordinates posted in the FAA notice. As can be seen from the map, two of the zones are to the west of Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait, while the other five sectors are to Taiwan's northwest and Japan's southwest.

In response, the MND activated its response center and directed all military units to remain alert to monitor the PLA's disposition. The ministry said the military and troops on the outer islands are coordinating with the Coast Guard Administration to respond to the Chinese vessels.

Following the PLA's announcement of exercises, the ministry has also initiated combat readiness drills. The exercises are conducted at tactical positions based on the PLA's threat level, weather, and other conditions.

The reserved zones appear as China had been expected to immediately launch a third round of large-scale exercises around Taiwan in response to President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) tour of South Pacific allies, which concluded on Friday. However, Reuters cited security sources as saying that the poor weather in the strait over the weekend likely impacted decisions on the drills.

Over the weekend, the ministry tracked seven Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, three official ships, and four balloons around the country between 6 a.m Saturday and Sunday. This was nearly double the eight Chinese naval vessels detected over the previous 24 hours.

On Monday, the CGA said that since 1 a.m. on Friday, it has detected “abnormal navigational activity” by seven Chinese coast guard ships and activated a response center. The CGA deployed patrol cutters to respond to the Chinese coast guard ships and moved in parallel with the vessels to monitor their movements.

Reuters cited a senior security official in Taiwan as saying on Monday that the PLA has already deployed approximately 90 navy and coast guard vessels near Taiwan and southern Japanese islands in the East and South China Sea. The official said that about two-thirds of these vessels were Chinese navy ships.