The Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported that it discovered 41 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels in the vicinity of Taiwan between 6 a.m. (local time) on Thursday and 6 a.m. (local time) on Friday.
In the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZs) of the country, 32 of the 41 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, according to the MND.
In response, Taiwan dispatched naval vessels and aircraft, as well as coastal-based missile systems, to supervise PLA operations.
“Up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today, 41 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels were detected in the vicinity of Taiwan.” The median line was crossed by 32 aircraft, which subsequently entered the ADIZs of the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern regions of Taiwan. On X, Taiwan MND stated, “We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
China dispatched 43 military aircraft and 8 naval vessels to Taiwan on Thursday. 34 of the 43 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ). According to MND, these consisted of helicopters, drones, and fighter jets.
This most recent military exercise by China is the latest in a string of comparable provocations that Beijing has conducted in recent months. China has intensified its military operations in the vicinity of Taiwan, which encompasses routine naval and air incursions into Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone (ADEZ) and military drills in close proximity to the island.
Taiwan has monitored 407 Chinese military aircraft and 206 ships thus far this month. China has gradually increased the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan in order to increase its use of gray zone tactics since September 2020.
Gray zone tactics are characterized as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.”
The government of Taiwan has operated independently since 1949. Conversely, China regards Taiwan as an extension of its territory and is committed to its eventual reunification, even if it necessitates military intervention.
According to the Central News Agency (CNA), Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused the Chinese government of misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan and drawing an inappropriate linkage to its “One China” principle earlier in July.
Beijing asserts that the United Nations resolution ratified its one-China principle, which posits that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China.
