Taiwan Monitors Chinese Military Activity Near Its Borders
Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that 18 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and two official ships were detected operating around Taiwan from 6 am on Sunday to 6 am on Monday. Among them, 15 aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In response, Taiwan mobilized its aircraft and naval vessels and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the situation and deter potential threats. The MND stated, “18 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 15 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
This incident is part of a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. Since September 2020, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island. These actions are part of China’s gray zone tactics, which aim to achieve security objectives without direct and sizable use of force.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, but China considers it 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. A Chinese Shaanxi Y-9 reconnaissance plane entered Japanese airspace east of the Danjo Islands, which MOFA said “seriously violated Japan’s sovereignty and raised 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. China collaborates with Russia in frequent military exercises in the East China Sea and South China Sea, attempting to use force to change the status quo. Taiwan’s MOFA urged China to “return to rationality and self-restraint” and cease actions that undermine peace in the Taiwan Strait and escalate regional tensions. Taiwan will bolster its self-defence capabilities and continue to cooperate with like-minded nations, including Japan, to “jointly deter the expansion and aggression of authoritarianism.”
Doubts Revealed
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and is not controlled by China.
Chinese military -: The Chinese military is the armed forces of China. They have soldiers, planes, and ships to protect their country.
Ministry of National Defence -: This is a part of Taiwan’s government that takes care of the country’s safety and military.
naval vessels -: Naval vessels are ships used by the military to protect the sea and fight if needed.
median line -: The median line is an imaginary line in the water that separates Taiwan and China. It helps to keep peace by marking boundaries.
Air Defence Identification Zone -: This is an area where a country watches the skies to see if any unknown aircraft are coming close. It helps keep the country safe.
mobilizing -: Mobilizing means getting ready to act. Taiwan got its planes, ships, and missiles ready to protect itself.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs -: This is a part of Taiwan’s government that deals with other countries and international issues.
regional tensions -: Regional tensions mean problems or conflicts between nearby countries. It can make people worried about safety and peace.
