Taiwan Monitors Chinese Military Aircraft and Naval Vessels Near Its Territory

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that 15 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected around Taiwan in the past 24 hours until 6 am on Sunday. In response, Taiwan’s armed forces used aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems to monitor these activities.

In a post on X, Taiwan’s MND stated, ’15 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s central, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. We’ve monitored the situation and responded accordingly.’

Since September 2020, China has increased its use of ‘gray zone tactics,’ which involve military activities near Taiwan without direct force. This latest incident is part of a series of similar provocations by China, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) and military exercises near the island.

Taiwan has been governed independently of China since 1949, but China views Taiwan as part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification. On Friday, Taiwan’s MND reported that 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were operating near its territory from 6 am on Friday to 6 am on Saturday. Of these, 23 aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern ADIZ.

In response, Taiwan’s armed forces monitored the situation and responded accordingly. In another post on X, Taiwan’s MND stated, ’30 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 23 aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.’