Taiwanese officials say China deployed more than 100 vessels around Taiwan and nearby regional waters in the days following President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Joseph Wu, secretary general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said intelligence showed a major Chinese maritime presence around the First Island Chain. He said the deployments came shortly after the Trump-Xi meeting and accused China of threatening regional peace and stability.
Wu also shared a graphic that appeared to show Chinese vessels operating in areas near Taiwan, the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Philippines.
The reported deployments come at a sensitive time for U.S.-China-Taiwan relations. Just days earlier, acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao told lawmakers that the United States had temporarily paused some weapons shipments to Taiwan to make sure the U.S. had enough munitions available for Operation Epic Fury.
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Cao said the pause was intended to ensure U.S. military readiness, though he also said America had “plenty” of weapons and was making sure all needs were covered.
The announcement raised concern among lawmakers because Taiwan has long depended on U.S. weapons purchases to strengthen its defenses against potential Chinese military pressure.
Earlier this year, U.S. lawmakers approved a $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan, though the final process remains tied to the administration’s decisions.
Taiwanese officials reportedly said they had not been informed in advance about any pause in weapons shipments.
The developments also follow Xi’s warning during the Beijing summit that Taiwan remains the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. Chinese officials said that if the Taiwan issue is handled properly, the broader relationship can remain stable, but if not, tensions could escalate.
China considers Taiwan a core national interest and has repeatedly objected to U.S. arms sales and political support for Taipei. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s pressure and says it will defend its democracy and sovereignty.
The latest vessel deployments add to concerns that China may be increasing pressure on Taiwan while Washington balances tensions in multiple regions, including the Middle East.
The situation highlights the strategic challenge facing the United States as it tries to manage relations with China, support Taiwan’s defense and maintain military readiness for other global crises.
BREAKING: 🇨🇳🇹🇼 China unleashes one of its biggest maritime force deployments ever near Taiwan
More than 100 Chinese naval, coast guard, and surveillance vessels have reportedly flooded strategic waters from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea and deep into the Western Pacific,… pic.twitter.com/Ks5qAp635i
— War Radar (@War_Radar2) May 23, 2026
