Taiwan Detects Chinese Military Aircraft and Ships Near Its Borders
On August 29, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that 13 Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 8 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, and 2 official ships were detected around Taiwan from 6 am Tuesday to 6 am Wednesday. Out of these, 10 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND stated, “13 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships 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 ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
This incident is part of a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
On Wednesday, Taiwan detected 30 Chinese PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels, and 1 official ship around the country from Tuesday 6 am to Wednesday 6 am. Out of the 30 aircraft, 27 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. Taiwan’s MND wrote on X, “30 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 27 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) criticised China for violating other countries’ sovereignty and disrupting regional peace. According to MOFA, 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.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, but China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and operates like a separate country, but China wants it to be part of China.
Chinese PLA -: PLA stands for People’s Liberation Army, which is the military force of China.
PLAN -: PLAN stands for People’s Liberation Army Navy, which is the naval branch of China’s military.
Ministry of National Defence -: This is the part of Taiwan’s government that is responsible for protecting the country and managing its military.
median line of the Taiwan Strait -: The Taiwan Strait is the water between Taiwan and China. The median line is an imaginary line in the middle that both sides usually avoid crossing to keep peace.
ADIZ -: ADIZ stands for Air Defense Identification Zone. It’s an area where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs -: This is the part of Taiwan’s government that deals with other countries and international issues.
sovereignty -: Sovereignty means having full control over your own country without interference from other countries.
reunification -: Reunification means bringing two parts back together to form one country. China wants Taiwan to join back with it.