Taiwan Monitors Chinese Military Aircraft and Naval Vessels Near Its Borders
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that from 6 am on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday, six Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan. Three of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering the northern and central areas of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND stated, “6 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s central ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
In response, Taiwan dispatched aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Earlier on Saturday, the MND had detected seven Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan from Friday to Saturday. Five of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s ADIZ.
This latest activity is part of a series of increased Chinese military operations near Taiwan. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics, which involve efforts to achieve security objectives without direct and sizable use of force. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, but China views Taiwan as part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island located near China. It has its own government, but China claims it as part of its territory.
Chinese military aircraft -: These are airplanes used by China’s military, which is the group of people trained to protect and fight for China.
Naval vessels -: These are ships used by the navy, which is the part of the military that operates at sea.
Ministry of National Defence -: This is a part of Taiwan’s government that is responsible for protecting the country and managing its military forces.
Median line of the Taiwan Strait -: This is an imaginary line in the water between Taiwan and China. It is often used to separate the areas controlled by each side.
Air defense identification zone -: This is a special area in the sky where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security.
Missile systems -: These are weapons that can be launched to hit targets far away, often used for defense.
Territory -: This means an area of land that belongs to a country.
