Taiwan observed an increase in Chinese military operations surrounding the island on Tuesday, reporting the presence of 47 military aircraft. This heightened activity comes as Taiwan remains on high alert following the return of its president from a trip to the United States.

China, which considers the democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, was anticipated to conduct military drills in response to President Lai Ching-te’s recent Pacific tour, which concluded on Friday and included visits to Hawaii and Guam.

In response to China’s actions, Taiwan’s military elevated its alert status on Monday, citing China’s reservation of airspace and the deployment of naval and coast guard vessels. As of now, China’s military has not issued any statements or confirmed the execution of any exercises.

On Tuesday, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported the detection of 47 military aircraft in the vicinity of the island over the previous 24 hours, along with 12 naval vessels and nine ships classified as “official,” which typically includes vessels from civilian agencies like the coast guard.

Among the aircraft, 26 were observed operating north of Taiwan near China’s Zhejiang province, six in the Taiwan Strait, and an additional 15 to the southwest of the island, as detailed in a map provided by the ministry in its daily update on Chinese military activities. A senior security official in Taiwan informed Reuters that the Chinese aircraft were simulating attacks on foreign naval vessels and conducting maneuvers to deter both military and civilian aircraft as part of a “blockade exercise.”

Lai and his administration dispute Beijing’s assertions of sovereignty, asserting that the future of Taiwan should be determined solely by its citizens.

China regards the Taiwan matter as a fundamental aspect of its core interests and warns that it is a boundary the United States must not breach. This year, China has conducted two significant military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan.