These days, regular incursions of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighter planes into Taiwan's defense zone hardly surprise people in Taiwan. As per usual drill, the island territory reacts by scrambling its jets to respond.

But the latest incursion by China has surprised everybody by its sheer size. 38 Chinese fighter aircrafts entered the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in a single day on Friday. China's provocation was well-planned and created enough noise for everybody to notice, including the Chinese domestic audience and the world. It was followed by 39 aircrafts on Saturday.

According to Chinese media, PLA incursions were "routine" despite the first one taking place on China's National Day. Some Chinese experts suggested the move showed Taiwan China’s "increasing combat preparedness and determination." (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202110/1235577.shtml) According to Taiwan, the planes included J-16 fighter jets, Su-30 fighter jets, H-6 bombers, and a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft circled the island's southeast side and returned to the mainland.

Before Friday's incursion, the most number of Chinese military planes to enter the defence zone in a single day was 28 on June 15. That incursion happened two days after the G7 issued a statement speaking of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. (https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/10/03/2003765422)

China has always asserted its sovereignty over Taiwan and has vowed to "reunify" with it one day. (https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1234177.shtml)
The Chinese military experts say that the airspace over Taiwan belongs to China as it has never recognised the island as a sovereign country. Some already say that China should eventually patrol over Taiwan and not allow any other country to violate it. With the latest incursion and steadily increasing the number of aircraft, China could be slowly inching towards asserting its "sovereignty" over the Taiwan airspace.

What will be Taiwan's next steps in case China increases its frequency of incursions will be interesting to see.

Read more:

China sends 38 fighter planes toward Taiwan on National Day:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-sends-25-fighter-planes-toward-taiwan-on-national-day/2021/10/01/de87af20-22a5-11ec-a8d9-0827a2a4b915_story.html

What's behind the China-Taiwan divide?:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34729538