Taiwan Reports Increased Chinese Military Activity Around Its Borders
Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported on Friday that 28 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan from 6 am on Thursday to 6 am on Friday.
According to the MND, 26 of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In a post on X, Taiwan MND stated, “28 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 26 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
On Thursday, Taiwan’s MND also reported that 20 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan from 6 am on Wednesday to 6 am on Thursday. The statement added that 15 of the PLA’s aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. In a post on X, Taiwan MND stated, “20 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 15 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This latest Chinese military activity adds to a series of similar provocations by Beijing in recent months. China has increased its military activities near Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and is not controlled by China.
Chinese military -: The Chinese military is the armed forces of China. They have soldiers, planes, and ships to protect their country.
Ministry of National Defence -: This is a part of Taiwan’s government that takes care of the country’s safety and military matters.
aircraft -: Aircraft are vehicles that can fly, like airplanes and helicopters.
naval vessels -: Naval vessels are ships used by the military, like warships and submarines.
median line -: The median line is an imaginary line in the middle of the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan and China.
Taiwan Strait -: The Taiwan Strait is a body of water between Taiwan and China.
Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) -: ADIZ is an area where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security.
incursions -: Incursions mean entering a place without permission, often used for military actions.
