Taiwan Tracks Chinese Military Aircraft and Ships Near Its Borders
From 6 am on Tuesday to 6 am on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked 13 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and two official ships operating around Taiwan. Seven of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the activity. Taiwan’s MND shared on X, “13 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This incident is part of a series of similar provocations by China in recent months, with increased military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics, which aim to achieve security objectives without direct and sizable use of force.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949, but China considers it part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. On September 1, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated that China’s goal of annexing Taiwan is to transform the rules-based global order and achieve hegemony, not out of concerns for territorial integrity.
In an interview, Lai questioned China’s motives, asking, “If the issue is truly about maintaining territorial integrity, then why don’t they reclaim the land ceded to Russia under the Treaty of Aigun?” He reiterated that Taiwan can never agree to the ‘One China’ principle of the ‘1992 consensus’ as it would mean ceding Taiwan’s sovereignty to China. Lai also affirmed his commitment to modernizing military training and advancing Taiwan’s submarine-building program.
Doubts Revealed
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 aircraft -: These are airplanes used by China’s military forces. They can be used for various purposes, including defense, surveillance, and combat.
naval vessels -: Naval vessels are ships used by a country’s navy. They can include warships, submarines, and other types of military boats.
median line of the Taiwan Strait -: The Taiwan Strait is the body of water between Taiwan and China. The median line is an imaginary line down the middle of this strait, often used as a boundary for military activities.
Air Defence Identification Zone -: This is a designated area of airspace where a country monitors and controls aircraft to protect its national security. It’s like a safety zone in the sky.
missile systems -: These are weapons designed to be launched and travel long distances to hit targets. They can be used for defense or attack.
Lai Ching-te -: Lai Ching-te is the President of Taiwan. He is a political leader who represents the country and makes important decisions.
global order -: Global order refers to the way countries interact and cooperate with each other around the world. It includes rules and agreements that help maintain peace and stability.