On January 5, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence (MND) reported the detection of five aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and six vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) near Taiwan. Four of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The MND shared this information on X, stating, "5 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today."
On the previous day, the MND also detected five PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels near its territory, with three aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. These activities are part of a pattern of increased maneuvers by China around Taiwan, raising concerns about regional stability.
In response, Taiwan's MND has initiated war-preparedness drills at strategic locations and is coordinating with the Coast Guard Administration to implement countermeasures. The Taiwan-China issue is a complex geopolitical conflict centered on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, known as the Republic of China (ROC), functions as a de facto independent state, while China views it as a breakaway province, adhering to the "One China" policy.
This policy has led to decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan. Beijing aims for reunification with Taiwan, using various pressures to isolate it internationally, while Taiwan continues to maintain its independence.
Taiwan is an island located in East Asia, near China. It has its own government and 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 combined military forces of China, including its 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 is an area where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its national security, even if it's outside its national airspace.
The median line is an imaginary line in the Taiwan Strait that separates Taiwan and China. It is not officially recognized by China, but it is often used as a boundary to avoid conflicts.
The One China policy is China's stance that there is only one China, and Taiwan is a part of it. This policy is a major reason for the tensions between China and Taiwan.
War-preparedness drills are exercises conducted by a country's military to practice and prepare for potential conflicts or emergencies.
The Coast Guard is a maritime security organization that protects a country's waters, enforces laws, and conducts search and rescue operations.
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