Taiwan Reports Surge in Chinese Military Activity; Former UK PM Boris Johnson Urges Western Support for Taiwan

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported today that it detected 57 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and four official ships operating in areas surrounding Taiwan.
 
 
 
According to the MND, 38 of the 57 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The MND recorded that  47 PLA aircraft sorties, seven naval vessels, and one official Chinese ship operating near Taiwan.
 
 
 
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Western nations to have courage to stand with Taiwan and deepen their economic partnership with the island nation as China intensifies its pressure on Taiwan.
 
 
 
Earlier, speaking at the 9th Ketagalan Forum 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue in Taipei on Tuesday, Johnson emphasised the importance of backing Taiwan’s democracy and innovation. Johnson stressed the need for peaceful dialogue across the Taiwan Strait, asking why Beijing feels compelled to conquer a nation that poses no threat, and reiterated that his mission in Taiwan is to affirm Western solidarity.