Taiwan has reported that its military detected 16 Chinese warplanes operating near the island on 10 April 2026, a day when Chinese President Xi Jinping met Taiwan’s opposition leader in Beijing. The Taiwanese Defence Ministry, in its daily report on 11 April, said the 16 warplanes flew near the island from mid‑morning to mid‑afternoon, coinciding with Xi’s meeting with Cheng Li‑wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). The exercises did not involve any crossing into Taiwanese airspace, according to the ministry’s statement.
Xi hosted Cheng at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing around 11 a.m. local time on 10 April. During the meeting, he reiterated that China “absolutely would not tolerate” any move toward Taiwan’s independence, re‑emphasizing Beijing’s long‑standing position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Cheng framed her visit as a reconciliation effort aimed at reducing cross‑strait tensions and advancing what she described as the “institutionalisation” of peace across the Taiwan Strait, though critics in Taiwan have questioned the timing and political implications of the talks.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has stated that using military manoeuvres around the island while holding political talks is a recurring pattern in Beijing’s approach, and that such flights are seen as a form of pressure during high‑level engagements. The latest detection of 16 Chinese warplanes follows a series of similar flights in recent weeks, which Taiwan has routinely monitored and responded to without escalating into direct clashes.
Key highlights
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Taiwan spots 16 Chinese warplanes.
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Xi meets Taiwan opposition leader.
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Warplanes near island on 10 April.
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Beijing rejects Taiwan independence.
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Taiwan sees flights as pressure tactic.