Taiwan Monitors PLA Aircraft and Vessels Amid Rising Tensions

On January 15, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) in Taiwan reported detecting 24 aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and six vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operating around Taiwan. Of these, 21 aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the north, southwest, and east. The MND has been closely monitoring the situation and responding as needed.

Earlier, on January 14, the MND detected 22 PLA aircraft, including models like the J-16 and KJ-500, with 19 crossing the median line. These aircraft were part of joint air-sea training exercises with PLAN vessels. On January 13, six PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels were detected, with four aircraft crossing into Taiwan's ADIZ.

China has been enhancing its naval capabilities, including launching a large landing helicopter assault vessel and producing floating bridge docks, indicating potential plans to invade Taiwan. The Taiwan-China conflict is rooted in Taiwan's status as a de facto independent state, while China views it as a breakaway province. This has led to ongoing tensions since the Chinese Civil War, with China aiming for reunification and Taiwan maintaining its independence.