On January 14, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported the detection of ten aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and four naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) near its territory. As of 6:00 am (UTC+8), five of these aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The MND shared these details in a post, stating, "We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."
Previously, on January 13, the MND detected six PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels, with four aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan's ADIZ. This activity is part of the ongoing tension between Taiwan and China, rooted in the complex geopolitical conflict over Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, known as the Republic of China (ROC), functions independently with its own government and military, while China views Taiwan as a breakaway province under the "One China" policy.
The historical backdrop of this tension dates back to the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party took control of mainland China. Beijing aims for reunification with Taiwan, applying various pressures to isolate it internationally. Despite this, Taiwan continues to assert its independence, supported by a significant portion of its population.
Taiwan is an island located in East Asia, near China. It operates like an independent country, but China considers it a part of its territory.
PLA stands for the People's Liberation Army, which is the armed forces of China. It includes the army, navy, and air force.
PLAN stands for the People's Liberation Army Navy, which is the naval branch of China's military forces.
ADIZ stands for Air Defense Identification Zone. It's an area where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its security, even if it's outside its national airspace.
The median line is an imaginary line in the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan and China. It's not officially recognized but is often used to avoid conflicts.
Reunification refers to China's goal of bringing Taiwan back under its control, as it considers Taiwan a part of its territory.
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