Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported that from 6 a.m. on Sunday to 6 a.m. on Monday local time, nine Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were active around Taiwan. Of these, six People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan closely monitored the situation and took appropriate actions.
According to a Ministry post on X, “9 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
On Sunday alone, Taiwan detected 36 Chinese military aircraft and 12 naval vessels, with 31 of the aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan’s ADIZ in various regions, including the northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern zones.
In August, Taiwan has recorded 71 instances of PLA aircraft and 36 instances of Chinese ships. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics, which involve actions aimed at achieving security objectives without direct and substantial military force, Taiwan News reported.
This recent activity is part of a broader pattern of increasing Chinese military operations near Taiwan, which includes frequent air and naval incursions and military exercises. Taiwan, which has been self-governing since 1949, is viewed by China as part of its territory, with Beijing seeking eventual reunification, potentially by force.