Taiwan Monitors Chinese Military Aircraft and Ships Near Its Borders
Between 6 am on Friday and 6 am on Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) detected 15 Chinese military aircraft and 7 naval vessels around Taiwan. Of these, 10 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
In response, Taiwan sent its own aircraft and naval ships to monitor the situation. The MND shared this information on X, stating, “15 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 10 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
On Friday, China had already sent 41 military aircraft and six naval vessels towards Taiwan. Of these, 32 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. This activity is part of 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. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 407 Chinese military aircraft and 206 ships. Since September 2020, China has been using 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 considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. In July, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused China of misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan and linking it to its “One China” principle.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island located off the southeastern coast of China. It has its own government and operates like an independent country, but China claims it as part of its territory.
Chinese military aircraft -: These are airplanes used by China’s military forces. They can be used for various purposes, including defense, surveillance, and combat.
naval vessels -: Naval vessels are ships used by a country’s navy. They can include warships, submarines, and other types of military boats.
Ministry of National Defence -: This is a government department in Taiwan responsible for managing the country’s defense and military activities.
air defence identification zone -: This is an area of airspace where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security. If an aircraft enters this zone, it must identify itself to avoid being considered a threat.
incursions -: Incursions are instances where military forces enter another country’s territory without permission. This can be seen as a hostile or aggressive act.
reunification -: Reunification means bringing together two parts that were separated. In this context, it refers to China’s goal of making Taiwan part of China again.
