Taiwan said on Sunday that large-scale air force activities by China around the island have resumed after an unusual absence lasting more than two weeks, a development that had sparked speculation in Taipei about Beijing’s intentions.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it detected 26 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island during the previous 24 hours, many of them flying in the Taiwan Strait. The ministry last reported a similar number on February 25, when it spotted 30 aircraft during what Beijing described as a “joint combat readiness patrol.”

China typically sends fighter jets, drones and other military aircraft near Taiwan on a near-daily basis, with disruptions usually caused by poor weather. However, from February 27 until March 7, Taiwan reported no Chinese aircraft activity. Only limited and sporadic movements had been recorded since then.

Beijing has not explained the temporary halt in flights and did not respond to further requests for comment.

Tensions escalated on Saturday after China’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticized remarks by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who called for stronger defence spending and the protection of Taiwan’s democratic system.

In a statement, a spokesperson warned that leaders like Lai “should not miscalculate,” adding that taking reckless steps could have serious consequences.

Analysts and officials in Taipei have suggested several possible reasons for the temporary reduction in Chinese flights. These include Beijing recalibrating its military pressure campaign ahead of a planned visit to China by U.S. President Donald Trump later this month, or internal military developments linked to President Xi Jinping’s ongoing purge of senior Chinese generals.

Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said that although Chinese aircraft activity had declined temporarily, Chinese warships remained active around the island and the overall military threat had not diminished.

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control, while Taiwan’s government firmly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and maintains that the island’s future should be decided by its people.