Taipei: Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported heightened military activity by China, detecting 13 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels between 6 a.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday local time.
Of the 13 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft spotted, 11 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, entering Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor and address the situation.
The MND shared details on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "13 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels were detected around Taiwan until 6 a.m. today. 11 aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have been closely monitoring and responding."
Earlier on Thursday, Taiwan had already reported 6 PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels. Six of these aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. The MND confirmed this, noting, "6 PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels were detected around Taiwan until 6 a.m. today. 6 aircraft entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored and responded accordingly."
This incident is part of a broader pattern of increased Chinese military activities around Taiwan. Over recent months, China has frequently conducted air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and held military exercises near the island.
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, but China views it as part of its territory and seeks eventual reunification, potentially by force. So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 279 PLA aircraft and 150 Chinese ships. Since September 2020, China has escalated its "gray zone" tactics, involving incremental increases in military activity to achieve strategic objectives without direct use of force.
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