Taiwan has warned of an "obvious" threat from a wide deployment of Chinese vessels stretching from southern Japan down to Taiwan and off the Philippines. Joseph Wu, secretary-general of Taiwan's National Security Council, said more than 50 navy and other official vessels were operating across that swathe of sea. "We're staying vigilant about their activities," he said, adding: "The simultaneous threat to Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines is obvious."

Beijing's explanation, and Taipei's reply

Wu's remarks on Wednesday accompanied a map he posted on X showing the locations of 53 ships, 34 of them navy warships, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning. According to the map, the carrier and its battle group were positioned to the east of the Philippines, with other formations off Taiwan's east and southeast and three off the southern coast of Japan.

Why the geography matters

China views Taiwan as its own territory, while Taiwan's government says only the island's people can decide their future. Earlier this month, China's defence ministry said the Liaoning was engaged in routine training not directed at any specific country — a characterisation Taiwan does not accept. Taiwan's defence minister, Wellington Koo, told reporters at parliament in Taipei on Thursday that his ministry was maintaining appropriate awareness of Chinese warship activity, alongside intelligence exchanges with partners. "We are not happy to see any attempt to project deterrence that could undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

The significance, in Taiwan's presentation, is breadth rather than any single ship: vessels near Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines at once suggest region-wide pressure, not a localised exercise. For now the episode remains a war of maps and statements, but the map itself is the message. This is not described as a blockade or an invasion.

Sources: Reuters, SRN News (Reuters).