China is significantly increasing maritime pressure around Taiwan, with a record number of Chinese vessels detected near the island as Taipei moves to strengthen its defenses.

Taiwan’s Coast Guard says 244 Chinese vessels were detected around the main island in July, averaging nearly eight ships per day. The figure represents a sharp increase from 55 vessels in June and 30 in May.

The surge has raised concerns among Taiwanese officials and analysts over whether China’s growing maritime presence could be more than a show of strength, including possible preparations for undersea warfare, maritime pressure or a future blockade.

Another major concern is China’s military-civil fusion strategy, under which civilian maritime assets can potentially be requisitioned for national defense purposes. Analysts warn that commercial vessels could provide additional transport capacity during a potential military operation.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is strengthening its own defenses. The island’s opposition-controlled parliament rejected a proposed $6.6 billion special drone budget, instead approving approximately $1.26 billion annually for military drones, amounting to around $7.6 billion over six years through regular budgets.

Taiwan has also conducted a major military exercise involving more than 5,000 reservists across two brigades, highlighting Taipei’s growing focus on preparing for potential threats.

The tensions stem from Beijing’s claim that Taiwan is part of China and its refusal to rule out the use of force to take control of the self-governed island. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan.

Taiwan On Alert As Record Chinese Ships Raise Blockade Fears

China has refused to apologise for the for the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown&nbsp;on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing and called Taiwan's condition as ''nonense''

Thursday marks 31 years since Chinese troops opened fire to end the student-led unrest in and around the square. Chinese authorities ban any public commemoration of the event on the mainland.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tensions-simmer-in-hong-kong-as-controversial-anthem-law-back-up-for-debate-302763">Tensions simmer in Hong Kong as controversial anthem law back up for debate</a>

The government has never released a full death toll, but estimates from human rights groups and witnesses range from several hundred to several thousand.

The government of democratically-ruled and Chinese-claimed Taiwan, in a statement on the anniversary's eve, said Beijing should face up to the people's expectations for freedom and democracy and begin political reform.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-cant-be-silent-hong-kong-people-aim-to-mark-tiananmen-despite-ban-302645"> 'I can't be silent': Hong Kong people aim to mark Tiananmen despite ban</a>

China should "reassess the historical facts about the June 4 incident and sincerely apologise", the China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said.

"We believe that those currently in power should have the courage to correct mistakes, immediately initiate reforms and return power to the people," it added.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian rejected Taiwan's calls.

"The relevant remarks of the Taiwan authorities are totally nonsense. As to the political disturbance in the late 1980s China has drawn a clear conclusion," Zhao told a daily news briefing.

"The great achievements after the founding of new China fully demonstrate that the development path chosen by the new China is totally correct and in line with China's national conditions," he added, referring to the period post-1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded.

Taiwan tends to use the Tiananmen Square anniversary to criticise China and call for it to face up to what it did, to Beijing's repeated annoyance. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken back by force if necessary.

On Thursday, activists will mark the Tiananmen anniversary at a series of public events in Taiwan.

China has refused to apologise for the for the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing and called Taiwan's condition as ''nonense'' Thursday marks 31 years since Chinese troops opened fire to end the student-led unrest in and around the square.

China has refused to apologise for the for the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing and called Taiwan's condition as ''nonense'' Thursday marks 31 years since Chinese troops opened fire to end the student-led unrest in and around the square. Chinese authorities ban any public commemoration of the event on the mainland. Also read: Tensions simmer in Hong Kong as controversial anthem law back up for debate The government has never released a full death toll, but estimates from human rights groups and witnesses range from several hundred to several thousand. The government of democratically-ruled and Chinese-claimed Taiwan, in a statement on the anniversary's eve, said Beijing should face up to the people's expectations for freedom and democracy and begin political reform. Also read: 'I can't be silent': Hong Kong people aim to mark Tiananmen despite ban China should "reassess the historical facts about the June 4 incident and sincerely apologise", the China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said. "We believe that those currently in power should have the courage to correct mistakes, immediately initiate reforms and return power to the people," it added. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian rejected Taiwan's calls. "The relevant remarks of the Taiwan authorities are totally nonsense. As to the political disturbance in the late 1980s China has drawn a clear conclusion," Zhao told a daily news briefing. "The great achievements after the founding of new China fully demonstrate that the development path chosen by the new China is totally correct and in line with China's national conditions," he added, referring to the period post-1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded. Taiwan tends to use the Tiananmen Square anniversary to criticise China and call for it to face up to what it did, to Beijing's repeated annoyance. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken back by force if necessary. On Thursday, activists will mark the Tiananmen anniversary at a series of public events in Taiwan.

Beijing slams Taiwan’s call on China to apologise for Tiananmen crackdown as 'nonsense'

China on Tuesday expressed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-el-salvador-establishes-diplomatic-ties-with-china-cuts-links-with-taiwan-160542">dissatisfaction and said it had lodged </a>stern representations with the United States after the State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of spare parts for military aircraft worth up to $330 million.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-tells-taiwan-to-halt-all-mainland-spying-sabotage-activities-165907">Also Read:&nbsp;China tells Taiwan to halt all mainland spying, sabotage activities</a>

China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the comments at a daily news briefing in Beijing.

US military sales to self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, are an irritant in ties between the world's two largest economies.&nbsp;

Taiwan would still need to finalise sale details with US companies.

The US State Department had approved the possible sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16 fighter planes and other military aircraft worth up to $330 million, the Pentagon had said on Monday.

The approval covers a request for spare parts for "F-16, C-130, F-5, Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), all other aircraft systems and subsystems, and other related elements of logistics and program support," the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security and defensive capability of the recipient, which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," it said. 
&nbsp;

China on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction and said it had lodged stern representations with the United States after the State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of spare parts for military aircraft worth up to $330 million.

China on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction and said it had lodged stern representations with the United States after the State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of spare parts for military aircraft worth up to $330 million. Also Read: China tells Taiwan to halt all mainland spying, sabotage activities China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the comments at a daily news briefing in Beijing. US military sales to self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, are an irritant in ties between the world's two largest economies. Taiwan would still need to finalise sale details with US companies. The US State Department had approved the possible sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16 fighter planes and other military aircraft worth up to $330 million, the Pentagon had said on Monday. The approval covers a request for spare parts for "F-16, C-130, F-5, Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), all other aircraft systems and subsystems, and other related elements of logistics and program support," the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security and defensive capability of the recipient, which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," it said.

China 'dissatisfied' over US military assistance to Taiwan

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Taiwan On Alert As Record Chinese Ships Raise Blockade Fears

Beijing slams Taiwan’s call on China to apologise for Tiananmen crackdown as 'nonsense'

China 'dissatisfied' over US military assistance to Taiwan