Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told the Legislature on Friday that the absence of PLA aircraft should not mean an absence of PLA incursions, following an eight-day stretch without PLA aircraft disturbances.  Koo pointed out that sea disturbances have not ceased, and that China’s activity or harassment cannot be solely based on aircraft presence.

Since February 26, no PLA aircraft have been seen around the Taiwan Strait for eight consecutive days, although PLA warships have continued their incursions. This has led to speculation that the surprising lack of PLA air presence may be related to either the US-Israel joint attack on Iran, or attempting to present a “peaceful image” before the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting in April.

Defense Minister Koo spoke on the situation to the Legislature on Friday, where he noted that no aircraft should not be seen as the only marker of PLA harassment. He pointed out that PLA warships have continued their routes and maintained a presence around Taiwan, underscoring that people must look at multiple factors when addressing the threats or harassment presented by the PLA and CCP.

Koo continued that the CCP's long-term use of PLA warships circumnavigating Taiwan, and aircraft crossing the median line, is a legal warfare tactic aimed at redefining the Taiwan Strait as a "domestic sea." This tactic, he said, has not yet stopped – even without aircraft presence.