China Taiwan Tension: Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported heightened activity around the island, with 11 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and one official ship detected near its territorial waters by 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Notably, nine of the aircraft crossed the median line, pushing into Taiwan’s northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), underscoring renewed tensions in the region.
11 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 11 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/PmuANSAERI
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) January 7, 2026
China Taiwan Tension: Taiwan detects 8 sorties of PLA aircraft
Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan detected eight sorties of PLA aircraft and seven Chinese naval vessels. Of the eight, two crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ.
In a post on X, the MND said, “8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/gHHJW88LZA
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) January 6, 2026
China News Today: China could face military fatalities
Meanwhile, China could face military fatalities of up to 100,000 if it attempts an amphibious invasion of Taiwan and would ultimately be compelled to retreat, although it may still take control of Taiwan’s offshore Kinmen and Matsu islands, according to a study by a US-based think tank, Focus Taiwan reported.
The study, titled “If China Attacks Taiwan,” was released by the German Marshall Fund, which receives partial funding from the United States government. The report evaluates the likely military, strategic and international fallout for China under scenarios ranging from a “major war” to a “minor conflict” with Taiwan, Focus Taiwan said.
Zack Cooper, one of the report’s authors, said a full-scale conflict would begin with amphibious landings by Chinese forces, accompanied by strikes on Taiwan’s military as well as US forces based in Japan and Guam.
While Chinese troops could reach Taiwan’s shores, their logistics would be severely disrupted by “successful Taiwanese and US strikes on ships and aircraft crossing the [Taiwan] Strait,” wrote Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Focus Taiwan reported.
China Taiwan Tension: China bans export of dual-use items to Japan
On the other hand, China has unveiled new export controls on Japan amid elevated tensions over Taiwan, prompting a rebuke by Tokyo. China’s Ministry of Commerce said it had banned so-called dual-use items, with military applications, in light of Japan’s “erroneous” and “egregious” statements about the self-governing island, which Beijing considers its territory.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Commerce Ministry said the ban was intended to “safeguard national security” and would apply to all items that could “enhance Japan’s military capabilities”. However, the notice did not specify which goods would be banned.
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