Experts divided on implication of PLA activity dropoffBy Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan has not detected any Chinese military aircraft in its vicinity for nine of the past 10 days, a decline that some commentators have found unusual, while others cautioned against alarm. Beijing has continuously increased military pressure against Taiwan in recent years, dispatching military aircraft and vessels close to Taiwan almost daily. Photo: ReutersThis is the longest period that Chinese aircraft have not been detected in the area since AFP began compiling the data in 2024. Chinese aircraft incursions went down 42 percent in January and last month compared with the period last year, while vessel incursions went down by about 4.5 percent, AFP said. The drop in incursions could be tied to China’s annual “two sessions” meetings or recent personnel reorganization within the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), experts said.

Source: Taipei Times March 09, 2026 11:51 UTC