Taiwan Detects 19 Chinese Aircraft and 8 Naval Vessels Near Its Territory
In the last 24 hours, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported detecting 19 Chinese aircraft, 8 naval vessels, and 1 official ship operating around its territory. Sixteen of these aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence, the situation has been monitored and responded to accordingly. This latest incursion is part of a series of similar provocations by China in recent months, which include 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, increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan. Gray zone tactics are 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. Last week, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) criticized China for violating other countries’ sovereignty and disrupting regional peace. The Taiwan MOFA reported that a Chinese Shaanxi Y-9 reconnaissance plane entered Japanese airspace east of the Danjo Islands, seriously violating Japan’s sovereignty and raising regional tensions.
China’s continued use of military aircraft and warships to intrude into Taiwan and Japan’s air defence identification zones and exclusive economic zones has increased regional tensions.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and is considered a separate country by many, but China claims it as part of its territory.
Chinese Aircraft -: These are planes that belong to China’s military. They can be used for defense or attack.
Naval Vessels -: These are ships that belong to 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 from attacks and managing the military.
Median Line -: This is an imaginary line in the sea that separates Taiwan and China. Crossing it can be seen as a sign of aggression.
Air Defence Identification Zone -: This is an area of airspace where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security.
Regional Tensions -: This means that countries in the area are not getting along and there is a risk of conflict or fighting.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs -: This is a part of Taiwan’s government that deals with other countries and international relations.
Sovereignty -: This means having full control over your own country without interference from other countries.