China is shifting from military displays to diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, with fighter-jet crossings falling sharply and no major drills conducted so far this year.

What happened: Taiwan recorded a daily average of five Chinese war planes crossing the Taiwan Strait's buffer line through May this year—half the number logged over the same period in 2025. China also did not send a single fighter jet near Taiwan for seven straight days in March, the longest absence on record outside typhoon periods. Beijing has not conducted major military drills around Taiwan this year, and instead deployed survey vessels and firefighting ships east of Taiwan through the Ministry of Transport to assert territorial claims.

Why it matters: President Xi Jinping appears to be shifting tactics in his campaign to pressure Taiwan, moving away from provocative military displays toward diplomatic isolation. This represents a change in strategy at a time when Beijing is pursuing its territorial claims through other means.

What to watch: For context, China sent 153 planes near Taiwan during one day at its peak in late 2024—a stark contrast to the current reduced frequency, suggesting the tactical shift may persist or signal a broader recalibration of pressure on the island.