Tensions are simmering in Asia as military maneuvers near the disputed island spark fears of a looming conflict

15:55, Mon, Jun 2, 2025 | UPDATED: 16:00, Mon, Jun 2, 2025

Airshow China 2022 - Day 2

Taiwan 'discovered' China around their borders over the weekend (Image: Getty)

Fears of all-out war breaking out in Asia has escalted further after Chinese miltary were spotted near Taiwan over the weekend.

The island country's Ministry of National Defence confirmed it was tracking six of China's military aircraft, as well as six naval vessels, and two official ships close to their borders between 6am on Sunday (June 1) and 6am on Monday (June 2).

Responding to the sighting, Taiwan sent aircraft, naval ships and coastal-based missile systems to monitor People’s Liberation Army activity.

It has since been confirmed none of the six aircraft had officially crossed the Taiwan Strait - a 180-kilometer-wide strait separating the island of Taiwan and the Asian continent.

Concerns of conflict between the two nations have been rising since late 2020 when China were discovered increasing its use of 'grey zone tactics'.

This involves activities below the threshold of armed conflict designed to assert control without provoking outright war.

An example of this being Xi Jinping incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan.

China considers the separately governed island to be a part of its territory and has vowed reunification by force if necessary.

The manoeuvres come after US defence secretary Pete Hegseth warned China's invasion of Taiwan was "imminent" last week.

"The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent," he said at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security conference attended by defence officials from around the world.

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Hegseth warned China were building the capabilities to take over the country, so much so they are "rehearsing for the real deal."

In response, Chinese officials warned the US against "playing with fire", stressing the situation should remain strictly domestic.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained: "The US should not entertain illusions about using the Taiwan question as a bargaining chip to contain China, nor should it play with fire.

"Hegseth deliberately ignored the call for peace and development by countries in the region, and instead touted the Cold War mentality for bloc confrontation, vilified China with defamatory allegations, and falsely called China a threat.

"The US is the biggest factor undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea."