Chinese J-16 fighter jet [Taiwan Ministry of National Defense/Yonhap News]

Chinese military aircraft were observed operating around the Taiwan Strait for the first time in eight days.

Taiwanese authorities stated that while there was an unusual period of "aerial silence" with no Chinese military aircraft detected for some time, naval vessels and coast guard ships continued their activities.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on the 8th, two Chinese People's Liberation Army military aircraft were detected in Taiwan's southwestern airspace for 24 hours from 6 AM on the 6th to 6 AM on the 7th.

Six Chinese warships and one coast guard vessel also operated in waters surrounding Taiwan.

The Taiwanese military explained that it monitored and responded to the Chinese military's movements by deploying aircraft, warships, and surface-to-air missile systems.

Previously, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced that it had not detected any Chinese military aircraft operating in the Taiwan Strait for eight days, from February 27th to the morning of March 6th.

Instead, some Chinese warships and coast guard vessels continued their activities in the waters around Taiwan.

Given that Chinese military aircraft had been operating in the airspace around Taiwan almost daily, with dozens of sorties, this period of "aerial silence" was considered an unusual situation.

Various interpretations and speculations arose within Taiwan, including theories that it was a signal to ease cross-strait tensions ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China.

In response to related questions, Taiwan's Minister of National Defense, Feng Shih-kuan, stated, "China's reduced activity does not mean they are not launching sorties. At least five warships are operating around Taiwan daily."

He emphasized, "China is pursuing a strategy to make the Taiwan Strait its internal waters, referred to as 'inland water management of the Taiwan Strait.' We must make comprehensive judgments based on various indicators, not solely on whether military aircraft are being deployed."