TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China has expanded its naval presence around Taiwan since the start of the decade, creating near-constant pressure on the country, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
Late last month, Chinese naval ships, including large guided-missile destroyers, were positioned around Taiwan in a pattern officials said has become routine. Security sources said what once signaled a drill is now an everyday reality.
Since 2020, Beijing has expanded from a single warship operating near the Taiwan Strait to a rotating multi-ship presence surrounding Taiwan. Officials say there are now typically five to six Chinese naval vessels operating around Taiwan at any given time.
The expansion accelerated after key political events, including Taiwan’s 2020 and 2024 presidential elections and then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s 2022 visit to Taipei. Security officials say each of these moments triggered a visible increase in Chinese naval activity.
The composition of China’s forces has also shifted, with more advanced destroyers now joining frigates in regular rotations. Analysts say this reflects rapid fleet expansion and a more assertive operational posture.
Alongside naval deployments, Chinese aircraft frequently cross the Taiwan Strait median line, while coast guard vessels pressure waters around Taiwan’s outlying islands. Beijing has also staged large-scale drills involving ships, aircraft, and drones since 2022.
China’s warships typically rotate on two-week deployments, with replacements maintaining constant coverage around Taiwan, the Wall Street Journal reported. Officials say this system allows Beijing to sustain pressure while training more crews in real-world conditions.
Chinese vessels generally remain outside Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone but increasingly conduct “joint combat readiness patrols” that push closer to its limits. Taiwan responds by shadowing these ships, sometimes in prolonged standoffs lasting up to two days.
The ongoing presence places significant strain on Taiwan’s smaller navy, forcing constant readiness and reducing maintenance and rest time for personnel. Officials say it also limits operational flexibility for Taiwan’s forces.
Security analysts say the persistent deployments allow China to collect intelligence on Taiwanese naval movements and operating patterns, per the Wall Street Journal. They warn this growing familiarity could reduce Taiwan’s ability to conceal its actions in a crisis.
Experts say the waters east of Taiwan are now a key focus, as Chinese ships map potential operational zones and monitor military bases. Analysts describe the buildup as part of a broader effort to reshape the tactical environment around Taiwan.
