Taiwan on High Alert as China Increases Military Presence
On September 25, Taiwan’s military was placed on high alert after China intensified its military activities around the island. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND), six Chinese naval vessels and two military aircraft were detected around Taiwan within a 24-hour period.
The MND reported that two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) helicopters crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into Taiwan’s central and eastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA’s activities.
In a statement on X, Taiwan’s MND said, “2 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This incident is part of a series of escalating military maneuvers by China around Taiwan, raising concerns about a potential invasion. Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo warned that China might launch an attack under the guise of military exercises. He noted that China has been using both conventional and unconventional military tactics, making it difficult to predict their actions.
So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 323 Chinese military aircraft and 192 ships. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of “gray zone” tactics, which involve efforts to achieve security objectives without direct and sizable use of force.
Additionally, China announced the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. The ICBM, carrying a dummy warhead, was launched by the PLA Rocket Force and “fell into expected sea areas,” according to the Chinese Ministry of Defence.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is a small island country near China. It has its own government and is known for its technology and beautiful landscapes.
China -: China is a large country in Asia, known for its long history, big population, and strong economy. It is close to Taiwan.
Military presence -: Military presence means having soldiers, ships, and planes in a certain area to show strength or prepare for action.
Naval vessels -: Naval vessels are ships used by a country’s navy. They can be used for defense, attacks, or patrolling the seas.
Military aircraft -: Military aircraft are planes used by the armed forces. They can be used for fighting, spying, or transporting soldiers.
Missile systems -: Missile systems are weapons that can launch missiles, which are explosive devices that can travel long distances to hit targets.
Defence Minister -: The Defence Minister is a government official in charge of a country’s military and defense matters.
Intercontinental ballistic missile -: An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a very powerful missile that can travel from one continent to another, carrying explosive warheads.
