Taiwan Ministry of Defence on Friday detected a major Chinese military presence around Taiwan until 6 am.
In a statement released by the ministry, it was stated that thirteen PLA aircraft, ten PLA Navy warships, and four PLA Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were observed to be in operation around the country.
Eleven of these aircraft went over the median line and into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the country’s southwest.
“13 PLA aircraft, 10 PLAN vessels, and 4 CCG vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ,” Taiwan’s MND said in a post on X.
13 PLA aircraft, 10 PLAN vessels, and 4 CCG vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. pic.twitter.com/wNrEzCWMuO
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) May 31, 2024
Prior to this, Taiwan monitored 38 Chinese military planes, seven navy ships, and four coast guard ships that were encircling the country between Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, at six in the morning.
Taiwan retaliated by using aircraft, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems to observe PLA operations.
China has been using more “grey zone” tactics since September 2020, when it gradually expanded the number of military aircraft and naval vessels in the Taiwan area.
According to Taiwan News, Grey zone tactics are defined 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.”
China’s Communist Party, which has never held power in Taiwan, nevertheless views the island as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it if needed.
China’s Communist Party, which has never held power in Taiwan, nevertheless views the island as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it if needed. Days have passed since China held “massive” military drills close to Taiwan.
The exercises that China carried out last week were the biggest it had carried out in almost a year, and they happened just a few days after Taiwan swore in Lai Ching-te as its new president.
