Taiwan Detects 21 Chinese Aircraft and 6 Naval Vessels Near Its Territory
From 6 am on Friday to 6 am on Saturday, Taiwan detected 21 Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels, and one official ship operating around its territory. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND), 17 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).
Taiwan’s MND stated, “21 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 17 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern 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.
Gray zone tactics are considered “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force.” Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
Earlier in July, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused the Chinese government of misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan and drawing an inappropriate linkage to its “One China” principle. Beijing claims that the UN resolution confirmed its one-China principle, which implies that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China.
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 Aircraft -: Chinese aircraft are airplanes that belong to China. In this context, they are military planes that were detected near Taiwan.
Naval Vessels -: Naval vessels are ships that belong to a country’s navy. They are used for military purposes, like patrolling and defending the country’s waters.
Ministry of National Defence -: The Ministry of National Defence is a part of the government in Taiwan that is responsible for the country’s defense and military activities.
Median Line of the Taiwan Strait -: The median line of the Taiwan Strait is an imaginary line in the water that separates Taiwan and China. It is often used as a boundary to avoid conflicts.
Air Defence Identification Zone -: An Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) is an area of airspace where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security. Taiwan has its own ADIZ to watch for any potential threats.
Incursions -: Incursions are instances where someone or something enters a place without permission. In this case, it refers to Chinese aircraft and ships entering areas near Taiwan without permission.
Military Presence -: Military presence means having military forces, like soldiers, ships, and planes, in a particular area. China has increased its military presence near Taiwan since 2020.
Self-governed -: Self-governed means that Taiwan has its own government and makes its own decisions, separate from China. Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949.
