Taiwan Monitors Chinese Military Aircraft and Ships Near Its Borders
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that from 6 am on Friday to 6 am on Saturday, seven Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan. Five of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering the northern and central areas of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
In response, Taiwan dispatched its own aircraft and naval vessels, along with coastal-based missile systems, to monitor the activities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
This latest activity is part of a series of similar actions by China in recent months. Since September 2020, China has increased its military operations near Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises around the island.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, but China views Taiwan as 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 against Taiwan. He condemned China for its inaccurate interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, which China claims supports its ‘One China’ principle.
During the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) in Taipei, Lai stated that China’s actions aim to construct a legal basis for military aggression against Taiwan and obstruct Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
Following Lai’s remarks, IPAC adopted a ‘model resolution’ to address China’s distortion of the UN resolution. The resolution calls for members to pass similar resolutions in their respective parliaments to counter China’s claims.
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 planes 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.
median line of the Taiwan Strait -: This is an imaginary line in the water between Taiwan and China. It helps keep peace by marking where each side should stay.
air defense zone -: This is an area in the sky where a country watches for and controls aircraft to protect itself.
missile systems -: These are weapons that can be launched to hit targets far away. They are used for defense and attack.
UN resolution -: A UN resolution is a decision made by the United Nations, an international group that works to keep peace and solve problems around the world.
Lai Ching-te -: Lai Ching-te is the President of Taiwan. He helps lead the country and make important decisions.
