PLA 9 Sorties May 28 — All 9 Cross Median Line Into Central/SW ADIZ; 6 PLAN Vessels

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 9 PLA aircraft sorties in the 24-hour window ending at 06:00 local time (UTC+8) on May 28, 2026, with all 9 sorties crossing the Taiwan Strait median line and entering Taiwan's central and southwestern ADIZ sectors. Six PLAN vessels operated around Taiwan. The 100% crossing rate (9 of 9) matches the intensity of May 27's 90% crossing rate (9 of 10) and confirms the PLA is sustaining near-total median line penetration as a normalized operational pattern in the post-Trump-Xi summit period. The full May 2026 sortie sequence now stands at: 4→29→1→2→1→0→22→12→8→12→7→9→2→3→15→6→7→13→24→7→6→16→4→9→26→10→9. The sustained pattern follows the second 'joint combat readiness patrol' on May 26 (26 sorties, YY-20 refueling photographed) and continues ahead of the May 31 HIMARS first payment deadline. Taiwan's NT$8.81B FY2026 special procurement budget floor vote was expected the same day (May 29). ROC Armed Forces deployed CAP aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the PLA activity.