Taiwan has stepped up monitoring operations after detecting two Chinese warships operating near the Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait, according to the island’s defence ministry. The vessels, which have been identified as a destroyer and a frigate, entered waters to the southwest of the archipelago, a strategically sensitive zone that hosts major Taiwanese naval and air force bases. Taipei responded by deploying its own naval and air assets to track the formation, stating that it had “closely monitored the situation and responded appropriately”, Reuters reported.&nbsp;According to Reuters, the ministry did not disclose their precise location of the ships. Such disclosures are relatively rare, with Taiwan typically providing detailed information on Chinese aircraft movements rather than naval deployments, except in cases involving high-profile assets such as aircraft carriers.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/japan-goes-global-on-arms-is-tokyo-planning-to-become-a-weapons-export-giant-while-us-war-machine-runs-thin-1776766253208">Japan goes global on arms: Is Tokyo planning to become a weapons export giant while US war machine runs thin?</a>&nbsp;<h2>‘Grey-zone’ pressure and rising cross-strait strain</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the island’s democratically elected government, regularly sends its warships and warplanes in surrounding waters and airspace. These activities have been repeatedly condemned by Taipei as coercive. Beijing, however, maintains that such operations are ‘entirely justified and reasonable’, attributing rising tensions to Taiwan’s leadership.&nbsp;On Monday, the defence ministry said, as reported by Reuters, that a Chinese destroyer and a frigate had entered waters to the southwest of the Penghu islands, an area that hosts major Taiwanese naval and air force bases and lies close to Taiwan’s side of the strait. Speaking to Coast Guard officers in Taipei, President Lai Ching-te warned that China’s “grey-zone” tactics, measures designed to exert sustained pressure without triggering open conflict — were intensifying. “They seek to manufacture a new normal that undermines the status quo,” he said, highlighting what his administration views as a steady escalation in psychological and operational pressure.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-are-ch-53-helicopters-why-does-us-navy-rely-on-them-to-transport-supplies-to-aircraft-carriers-in-middle-east-1777128354557">What are CH-53 helicopters? Why does US Navy rely on them to transport supplies to aircraft carriers in Middle East?</a>&nbsp;<h2>Broader military activity underscores strategic stakes</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Reuters reported that, in its latest daily update, Taiwan’s defence ministry said a total of nine Chinese warships and 22 military aircraft had been detected around the island over the previous 24 hours. While maps indicated aircraft activity concentrated in the Taiwan Strait and to the north and southwest of the island, no specific details were provided on the positioning of the naval vessels.&nbsp;The Penghu islands occupy a critical position in the Taiwan Strait, sitting closer to Taiwan’s western coastline and serving as a forward defence hub. Taiwan’s Coast Guard, operating alongside the navy, plays a key role in monitoring such movements. President Lai indicated that capabilities would be strengthened through expanded drone deployment, advanced radar systems and infrared surveillance technology. Taiwan’s government continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that the island’s future can only be determined by its people.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the island’s democratically elected government, regularly sends its warships and warplanes in surrounding waters and airspace. 

Taiwan has stepped up monitoring operations after detecting two Chinese warships operating near the Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait, according to the island’s defence ministry. The vessels, which have been identified as a destroyer and a frigate, entered waters to the southwest of the archipelago, a strategically sensitive zone that hosts major Taiwanese naval and air force bases. Taipei responded by deploying its own naval and air assets to track the formation, stating that it had “closely monitored the situation and responded appropriately”, Reuters reported. According to Reuters, the ministry did not disclose their precise location of the ships. Such disclosures are relatively rare, with Taiwan typically providing detailed information on Chinese aircraft movements rather than naval deployments, except in cases involving high-profile assets such as aircraft carriers. ALSO READ: Japan goes global on arms: Is Tokyo planning to become a weapons export giant while US war machine runs thin? ‘Grey-zone’ pressure and rising cross-strait strain China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the island’s democratically elected government, regularly sends its warships and warplanes in surrounding waters and airspace. These activities have been repeatedly condemned by Taipei as coercive. Beijing, however, maintains that such operations are ‘entirely justified and reasonable’, attributing rising tensions to Taiwan’s leadership. On Monday, the defence ministry said, as reported by Reuters, that a Chinese destroyer and a frigate had entered waters to the southwest of the Penghu islands, an area that hosts major Taiwanese naval and air force bases and lies close to Taiwan’s side of the strait. Speaking to Coast Guard officers in Taipei, President Lai Ching-te warned that China’s “grey-zone” tactics, measures designed to exert sustained pressure without triggering open conflict — were intensifying. “They seek to manufacture a new normal that undermines the status quo,” he said, highlighting what his administration views as a steady escalation in psychological and operational pressure. ALSO READ: What are CH-53 helicopters? Why does US Navy rely on them to transport supplies to aircraft carriers in Middle East? Broader military activity underscores strategic stakes Reuters reported that, in its latest daily update, Taiwan’s defence ministry said a total of nine Chinese warships and 22 military aircraft had been detected around the island over the previous 24 hours. While maps indicated aircraft activity concentrated in the Taiwan Strait and to the north and southwest of the island, no specific details were provided on the positioning of the naval vessels. The Penghu islands occupy a critical position in the Taiwan Strait, sitting closer to Taiwan’s western coastline and serving as a forward defence hub. Taiwan’s Coast Guard, operating alongside the navy, plays a key role in monitoring such movements. President Lai indicated that capabilities would be strengthened through expanded drone deployment, advanced radar systems and infrared surveillance technology. Taiwan’s government continues to reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that the island’s future can only be determined by its people.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite the island’s democratically elected government, regularly sends its warships and warplanes in surrounding waters and airspace.

Taiwan on alert! 2 Chinese warships spotted near key Penghu Islands in Taiwan Strait

It described the proposal as a ‘letter of intent’ that has not been finalised and is still undergoing review. Officials emphasised that Indonesia retains full control over its airspace, signalling caution rather than commitment.

It described the proposal as a ‘letter of intent’ that has not been finalised and is still undergoing review. Officials emphasised that Indonesia retains full control over its airspace, signalling caution rather than commitment.

Is Indonesia weighing US proposal to expand surveillance across its waters and territory? What it means for China

With rising tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has deployed air and sea assets to monitor China's largest coastal guard vessel in the exclusive economic zone. Watch in for more details!

South China Sea Tensions: China's Monster Vessel Enters Disputed Waters

South China Sea Tensions: Manila Condemns Chinese Aggression, Vows Response To Provocation

Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, authorities have announced that sirens will be issued whenever aircrafts enter a 24-nautical-mile zone. This move is seen as a precautionary measure to enhance security and signal potential threats in the disputed waters, where multiple nations have competing territorial claims.

South China Sea Tensions: Sirens To Be Issued When Aircraft Enter 24 Nautical Miles

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "serious concerns" over the situation in the South China Sea to Chinese President Xi Jinping in their first in-person talks, Tokyo's foreign ministry said Saturday.

But the pair agreed to work to expand cultural exchanges and continue high-level dialogue on the economy, both Tokyo and Beijing said after the talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.

The meeting comes after Ishiba kept his job as prime minister in a parliamentary vote this week despite having led the ruling coalition to its worst election result in 15 years.

Relations between Japan and China have worsened as Beijing builds up its military capacity in the region and Tokyo boosts security ties with the United States and its allies.

Ishiba "conveyed serious concerns over the Chinese military's growing activity" to Xi, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

He stressed that "the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is extremely important to Japan and the international community, while also expressing serious concerns over the situation surrounding the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Xinjiang".

China has ramped up military pressure on self-ruled Taiwan in recent years to pressure Taipei into accepting its claims of sovereignty, which the island's government rejects.

Beijing has also in recent months pressed its sweeping territorial claims in the East and South China Seas more stridently.

A chain of uninhabited islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo,&nbsp;known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been a point of tension between the neighbours.

Xi said he hoped Japan would work with China to "properly handle major issues of principle such as history and Taiwan" and "manage differences constructively," according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.&nbsp;

China and Japan, "whose economic interests and industrial and supply chains are deeply intertwined," need to "pursue win-win cooperation and maintain the global free trade system as well as stable and unimpeded production and supply chains", Xi said.&nbsp;

Tokyo said they had agreed to "work towards realising mutual visits by respective foreign ministers, as well as the high-level dialogue on cultural exchange and economy".

Another recent flashpoint in bilateral ties was the fatal stabbing in September of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen.&nbsp;

Ishiba urged Xi to "strengthen measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens" living in China, while Xi promised that the "safety of foreign nationals including Japanese people will be secured," Japan's foreign ministry said.

At APEC, Ishiba also met outgoing US President Joe Biden and held trilateral talks with Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo" in Asia-Pacific waters, the three leaders said in a joint statement, without mentioning China directly.

"We steadfastly oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities in the South China Sea," it said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "serious concerns" over the situation in the South China Sea to Chinese President Xi Jinping in their first in-person talks, Tokyo's foreign ministry said Saturday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "serious concerns" over the situation in the South China Sea to Chinese President Xi Jinping in their first in-person talks, Tokyo's foreign ministry said Saturday. But the pair agreed to work to expand cultural exchanges and continue high-level dialogue on the economy, both Tokyo and Beijing said after the talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru. The meeting comes after Ishiba kept his job as prime minister in a parliamentary vote this week despite having led the ruling coalition to its worst election result in 15 years. Relations between Japan and China have worsened as Beijing builds up its military capacity in the region and Tokyo boosts security ties with the United States and its allies. Ishiba "conveyed serious concerns over the Chinese military's growing activity" to Xi, the Japanese foreign ministry said. He stressed that "the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait is extremely important to Japan and the international community, while also expressing serious concerns over the situation surrounding the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Xinjiang". China has ramped up military pressure on self-ruled Taiwan in recent years to pressure Taipei into accepting its claims of sovereignty, which the island's government rejects. Beijing has also in recent months pressed its sweeping territorial claims in the East and South China Seas more stridently. A chain of uninhabited islands claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been a point of tension between the neighbours. Xi said he hoped Japan would work with China to "properly handle major issues of principle such as history and Taiwan" and "manage differences constructively," according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China and Japan, "whose economic interests and industrial and supply chains are deeply intertwined," need to "pursue win-win cooperation and maintain the global free trade system as well as stable and unimpeded production and supply chains", Xi said. Tokyo said they had agreed to "work towards realising mutual visits by respective foreign ministers, as well as the high-level dialogue on cultural exchange and economy". Another recent flashpoint in bilateral ties was the fatal stabbing in September of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen. Ishiba urged Xi to "strengthen measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens" living in China, while Xi promised that the "safety of foreign nationals including Japanese people will be secured," Japan's foreign ministry said. At APEC, Ishiba also met outgoing US President Joe Biden and held trilateral talks with Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. "We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo" in Asia-Pacific waters, the three leaders said in a joint statement, without mentioning China directly. "We steadfastly oppose the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities in the South China Sea," it said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

During meeting with Xi, Japan PM expresses concerns over South China Sea situation

China And Philippines Continue To Claim Sovereignty Over South China Sea Watch in for more details!

China Wants Philippines To Give Up Its Claims In South China Sea: Philippines  Defence Ministry

Chinese Naval Maneuvers demonstrated their operational Readiness and escalated tensions in the Taiwan. Chinese Navy released a video showing their military capabilities and increased Naval activity near Taiwan with footage featuring military drills.

South China Sea Tensions: Taiwan On Alert Amid Chinese Drills

South China Sea Tensions: Taiwan Reports Increased Chinese Naval Activity In Bashi Channel

China's military launched a new round of war games near Taiwan on Monday. China called it a warning to the "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces." Taiwan had been on alert for more war games since the national day speech by President Lai Ching-te. He said China had no right to represent Taiwan even as he offered to cooperate with Beijing. Watch in for more details!

China Launches War Games Around Taiwan, Drawing Anger In Taipei, Concern From Washington

Indian military recently (May 6th) sent naval ships to Singapore near the South China Sea, a region that China claims to own and the Philippines is vying to defend, but the itinerary of India's warships did not end here. Indi sent its naval assets further into the South China Sea region, right across China conducting naval drills with other ASEAN nations equally aggrieved by China’s assertiveness. What’s India’s game plan in the South China Sea? Will India be a game-changer for Southeast Asia’s China woes? Watch Game Plan with Shivan Chanana.

South China Sea Tensions: India, Malaysia back Philippines - hold naval drills with China in mind

China is hosting the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium on Monday as the people's Liberation Army Navy marks its 75th founding anniversary. Watch in for more details!

China to host Western Pacific Naval Symposium, top foreign officials to meet in Qingdao

Philippines on Monday held the biggest military exercises in seven years with the United States as China continues to impose its presence over the South China Sea.

The annual exercises, called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, will run up to April 8 with nearly 9,000 navy, marines, air force and army troops, including 5,100 American military personnel, to strengthen the longtime treaty allies’ “capabilities and readiness for real-world challenges,” US and Philippine military officials said.

Since taking office in 2016, Duterte had sought closer ties with China in exchange for pledges of loans, aid and investment, and distanced himself from the United States, a treaty ally.

But last year he withdrew a threat to scrap a two-decade old pact governing the presence of US troops in the Southeast Asian country.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-compares-the-quad-to-nato-464425/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We are sending a message to the world that the alliance between our countries is stronger than ever," Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

The treaty alliance “declares formally our sense of unity and determination to mutually defend against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the impression that either of them stands alone,” Philippine military spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said.

The exercises will cover maritime security, amphibious operation, live-fire training and counterterrorism, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Recent manoeuvres between the two countries focused on potential conflict in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-slams-chinese-ships-close-distance-maneuvering-at-scarborough-shoal-465925">Also read |&nbsp;Philippines slams Chinese ship's 'close distance maneuvering' at Scarborough Shoal</a>

Trillions of dollars in trade pass through the strategic sea and it is thought to contain rich petroleum deposits, making it a frequent source of regional friction.

China will likely frown on the war drills given their relative proximity to Taiwan, which it claims as Chinese territory, but organisers said the exercises don’t regard any particular country as a target.

In what it calls a warning to Taiwan independence supporters and their foreign allies, China has been staging threatening exercises and flying military planes near the island’s airspace, including on February 24, when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.

The US and its allies are providing defensive weapons to Kyiv and imposing crippling economic sanctions on Moscow.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leading-energy-analyst-says-russian-gas-sales-to-china-will-not-make-up-for-loss-of-european-markets-465956" hreflang="en">Leading energy analyst says Russian gas sales to China 'will not make up for loss of European markets'</a>

Duterte, whose six-year term ends in June, has expressed concern that the Philippines was "involved" in the conflict because of its security alliance with the United States.

That includes a mutual defence treaty and permission for the US military to store defence equipment and supplies on several Philippine bases.

Chinese officials led by President Xi Jinping say they are committed to using peaceful means to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control. The US has consistently expressed its support for ensuring that Taiwan can defend itself, and Chinese military action against the island in the short- to medium-term is generally considered a remote possibility.

The Balikatan deployment in 2017 had been nearly halved to 5,500 troops from the previous year and stripped of all combat-related exercises at the behest of Duterte, who had viewed them as an obstacle to rapprochement with China.

Live fire exercises returned in 2018 and 2019 but the scale of the drills remained smaller and in 2020 they were cancelled due to the pandemic, while only 640 troops took part last year.

Despite efforts to build closer ties, the Philippines has become more critical of Beijing's actions, including what it calls "swarming" by fishing vessels manned by militia off the disputed Spratly islands, and a blockade of a military resupply mission last year.

Manila also recently summoned China's ambassador over what it called the "illegal intrusion and lingering presence" of a Chinese navy vessel.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims on the waterway. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Philippines on Monday held the biggest military exercises in seven years with the United States as China continues to impose its presence over the South China Sea.

Philippines on Monday held the biggest military exercises in seven years with the United States as China continues to impose its presence over the South China Sea. The annual exercises, called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, will run up to April 8 with nearly 9,000 navy, marines, air force and army troops, including 5,100 American military personnel, to strengthen the longtime treaty allies’ “capabilities and readiness for real-world challenges,” US and Philippine military officials said. Since taking office in 2016, Duterte had sought closer ties with China in exchange for pledges of loans, aid and investment, and distanced himself from the United States, a treaty ally. But last year he withdrew a threat to scrap a two-decade old pact governing the presence of US troops in the Southeast Asian country. "We are sending a message to the world that the alliance between our countries is stronger than ever," Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement. The treaty alliance “declares formally our sense of unity and determination to mutually defend against external armed attack, so that no potential aggressor could be under the impression that either of them stands alone,” Philippine military spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said. The exercises will cover maritime security, amphibious operation, live-fire training and counterterrorism, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Recent manoeuvres between the two countries focused on potential conflict in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety. Also read | Philippines slams Chinese ship's 'close distance maneuvering' at Scarborough Shoal Trillions of dollars in trade pass through the strategic sea and it is thought to contain rich petroleum deposits, making it a frequent source of regional friction. China will likely frown on the war drills given their relative proximity to Taiwan, which it claims as Chinese territory, but organisers said the exercises don’t regard any particular country as a target. In what it calls a warning to Taiwan independence supporters and their foreign allies, China has been staging threatening exercises and flying military planes near the island’s airspace, including on February 24, when Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. The US and its allies are providing defensive weapons to Kyiv and imposing crippling economic sanctions on Moscow. Also read | Leading energy analyst says Russian gas sales to China 'will not make up for loss of European markets' Duterte, whose six-year term ends in June, has expressed concern that the Philippines was "involved" in the conflict because of its security alliance with the United States. That includes a mutual defence treaty and permission for the US military to store defence equipment and supplies on several Philippine bases. Chinese officials led by President Xi Jinping say they are committed to using peaceful means to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control. The US has consistently expressed its support for ensuring that Taiwan can defend itself, and Chinese military action against the island in the short- to medium-term is generally considered a remote possibility. The Balikatan deployment in 2017 had been nearly halved to 5,500 troops from the previous year and stripped of all combat-related exercises at the behest of Duterte, who had viewed them as an obstacle to rapprochement with China. Live fire exercises returned in 2018 and 2019 but the scale of the drills remained smaller and in 2020 they were cancelled due to the pandemic, while only 640 troops took part last year. Despite efforts to build closer ties, the Philippines has become more critical of Beijing's actions, including what it calls "swarming" by fishing vessels manned by militia off the disputed Spratly islands, and a blockade of a military resupply mission last year. Manila also recently summoned China's ambassador over what it called the "illegal intrusion and lingering presence" of a Chinese navy vessel. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which about $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims on the waterway. (With inputs from agencies)

Philippines holds biggest military exercises in seven years with US amid South China Sea tensions

The Trump administration has rejected Beijing's maritime claims in the South China Sea. This has drifted into a conflict that has pitted China against several Southeast Asian countries with competing claims at a time of already-strained relations between Washington and Beijing. Watch report.

South China Sea tensions: Chinese claim over S.China Sea rejected by US

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Taiwan on alert! 2 Chinese warships spotted near key Penghu Islands in Taiwan Strait

US overflight access proposal in Indonesia under review: what it means for China

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South China Sea Tensions: Manila Condemns Chinese Aggression, Vows Response To Provocation

South China Sea Tensions: Sirens To Be Issued When Aircraft Enter 24 Nautical Miles

South China Sea Tensions: Sirens To Be Issued When Aircraft Enter 24 Nautical Miles

During meeting with Xi, Japan PM expresses concerns over South China Sea situation

China Wants Philippines To Give Up Its Claims In South China Sea: Philippines Defence Ministry

South China Sea Tensions: Taiwan On Alert Amid Chinese Drills

South China Sea Tensions: Taiwan Reports Increased Chinese Naval Activity In Bashi Channel

China Launches War Games Around Taiwan, Drawing Anger In Taipei, Concern From Washington

South China Sea Tensions: India, Malaysia back Philippines - hold naval drills with China in mind

China to host Western Pacific Naval Symposium, top foreign officials to meet in Qingdao

Philippines holds biggest military exercises in seven years with US amid South China Sea tensions

South China Sea tensions: Chinese claim over S.China Sea rejected by US