PLA 3 Sorties Around Taiwan April 5 — All Cross Median Line; YTD Incursions Down 46.5%

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported 3 PLA aircraft sorties operating around Taiwan on April 5, 2026 — a slight uptick from 2 sorties on April 3 but well below the late-March peak of 19 sorties (March 29). All 3 sorties crossed the median line. GlobalSecurity.org reported Taiwan MND data showing the year-to-date (January–April 2026) PLA aircraft deployed into Taiwan's ADIZ represent a 46.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2025, with 460 sorties YTD versus a comparable 2025 figure. Analysts note the YTD decrease reflects both the National People's Congress two-week lull (early March) and the diplomatic context of the KMT-China engagement and the Trump-Xi summit preparation. PLA naval vessels continued operating around Taiwan. With 2 days before KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's April 7 China departure, the 3-sortie count is consistent with PLA maintaining sustained low-level presence rather than signaling through elevated air activity — allowing diplomatic channels to take the lead in cross-strait signaling ahead of the KMT chair's Xi meeting.