Taiwan Monitors 43 Chinese Military Aircraft and 8 Naval Vessels Near Its Borders
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that 43 Chinese military aircraft and 8 naval vessels were detected around Taiwan between 6 am on Wednesday and 6 am on Friday. Of these, 34 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ). These included fighter jets, drones, and helicopters.
In response, Taiwan sent combat patrol aircraft, naval vessels, and deployed land-based air defense missile systems to monitor the activity. This incident is part of a series of increased military activities by China near Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions and military exercises.
So far this month, Taiwan’s MND has tracked 366 Chinese military aircraft and 200 ships. Since September 2020, China has been using ‘gray zone tactics,’ which involve military operations that stop short of direct conflict to achieve security objectives.
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, but China considers it 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 and linking it to the ‘One China’ principle.
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and is not controlled by China.
Chinese Military Aircraft -: These are airplanes used by China’s army. They can be used for defense or attacks.
Naval Vessels -: These are ships used by the navy, which is the part of the military that operates at sea.
Ministry of National Defence -: This is the part of Taiwan’s government that takes care of the country’s safety and defense.
Taiwan Strait median line -: This is an imaginary line in the water between Taiwan and China. It helps to keep peace by marking where each side should stay.
Air defense zones -: These are areas in the sky where a country watches for and protects against enemy aircraft.
Combat patrol aircraft -: These are planes that fly around to look for and stop any threats.
Missile systems -: These are weapons that can be launched to hit targets far away.
Self-governed -: This means Taiwan runs its own government and makes its own decisions, separate from China.