Taiwan Reports Increased Chinese Military Activity Near Its Airspace
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has reported a significant increase in activity by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near its airspace. As of 6 am today, 18 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels, and 1 official ship were detected.
Eight of these aircraft crossed into Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ), breaching the median line that typically separates Taiwanese and Chinese-controlled airspace. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence stated, “18 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This marks a notable escalation in cross-strait tensions, with Taiwan responding to the PLA’s activities by deploying appropriate measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and airspace.
In recent years, Taiwan has increasingly faced military manoeuvres and provocations from Beijing, which views the island as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under Chinese control. The Taiwan Strait has been a focal point of military manoeuvring and strategic posturing, with both sides asserting their respective territorial claims and national security interests.
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), remains a key geopolitical flashpoint in East Asia, with its sovereignty fiercely contested by Beijing despite its self-governing status. So far in July, Taiwan has detected over 300 military aircraft and around 100 naval ships. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of grey zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan.
According to a Taiwan News report, grey zone tactics are “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force.” Taiwan has been governed independently of China since 1949. However, Beijing considers the island part of its territory and insists on its eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island located off the southeastern coast of China. It has its own government and operates like a separate country, but China claims it as part of its territory.
Chinese Military -: The Chinese Military refers to the armed forces of China, officially known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It includes the army, navy, and air force.
Airspace -: Airspace is the area of the sky that is controlled by a particular country. Countries monitor their airspace to ensure safety and security.
Ministry of National Defence -: The Ministry of National Defence is a government department in Taiwan responsible for managing the country’s military and defense affairs.
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) -: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the combined military forces of China, including its army, navy, and air force.
PLAN vessels -: PLAN vessels are ships that belong to the People’s Liberation Army Navy, which is the naval branch of China’s military.
Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ) -: Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ) are areas of airspace over land or water where countries require identification, location, and control of aircraft for security purposes.
Median line -: The median line is an imaginary line in the Taiwan Strait that separates the airspace and waters between Taiwan and China. Crossing this line can be seen as a provocative act.
Cross-strait tensions -: Cross-strait tensions refer to the strained and often hostile relationship between Taiwan and China, especially regarding issues of sovereignty and territorial claims.