Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence reported on Friday that it detected 41 Chinese aircraft and seven Chinese naval vessels operating near its territory. This heightened presence of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) around Taiwan continues to underscore the ongoing tensions between the island nation and mainland China.
According to the Ministry of Defence, 32 of the detected aircraft crossed the sensitive median line, an unofficial but generally respected boundary in the Taiwan Strait, and entered Taiwan’s Eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response to this incursion, Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored the situation and took necessary actions to safeguard their airspace and territorial integrity.
The Ministry’s official statement read, “41 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 32 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
Latest Development
This latest development follows a similar incident on Thursday when Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported the detection of eight PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels near its territory. During that incident, three of the aircraft breached the median line and entered the southwestern and eastern regions of Taiwan’s ADIZ. The MND’s statement on social media emphasized that Taiwan’s forces were vigilant and had responded appropriately to the incursions.
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These repeated incursions are part of a broader pattern of increased military pressure from China. In recent months, China has ramped up its military exercises and operations around Taiwan, frequently sending aircraft and naval vessels into Taiwan’s ADIZ. These actions are widely viewed as part of China’s strategy to intimidate Taiwan and assert its claims over the island.
Taiwan, an island nation that has been self-governed since 1949, remains a focal point of tension in East Asia. Despite its independent governance, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has made clear its intentions to reunify the island with the mainland, using force if necessary. This has led to growing concerns within the international community about the potential for conflict in the region.
Chinese military activities increased
The number of military activities by China around Taiwan has seen a marked increase. So far this month alone, Taiwan has tracked over 300 PLA aircraft and around 200 Chinese naval vessels operating near its borders. Since September 2020, China has escalated its use of so-called “grey zone” tactics, gradually increasing the frequency and intensity of military operations around Taiwan. These tactics aim to wear down Taiwan’s defense forces and normalize the presence of Chinese military assets near the island, thereby increasing pressure without crossing the threshold into open conflict.
The situation remains tense, with Taiwan continuing to monitor Chinese military activities closely. The island’s defense forces are maintaining a high level of readiness to respond to any further provocations, while the international community watches the developments with concern, mindful of the potential implications for regional stability and global security.