Taiwan Reports Chinese Military Incursions into Air Defense Zone Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported the detection of 7 Chinese military aircraft and 15 naval vessels operating near the island between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday. Among the 7 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 3 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, entering Taiwan’s northern and southeastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA’s activities. In a post on X, the MND confirmed, “7 PLA aircraft and 15 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

This follows an earlier report from Saturday when the MND detected 13 Chinese military aircraft and 7 naval vessels, with 12 PLA aircraft crossing the median line and entering Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ.

These incursions are part of a broader pattern of increasing Chinese military activity around Taiwan, including regular air and naval operations in Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has escalated these activities since September 2020, employing gray zone tactics—efforts to achieve security objectives without direct or significant use of force.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 279 PLA aircraft and 150 Chinese ships operating around the island. Taiwan, which has been self-governed since 1949, continues to face pressure from China, which insists on eventual reunification, potentially by force.