Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported on Sunday that it had detected 12 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels operating around its territory between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday (local time).
According to the MND, seven of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In a statement on X, the Ministry noted, “We detected 12 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 4 official ships around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. Seven of these aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. We have been closely monitoring the situation and responding appropriately.”
This latest incident adds to a series of recent provocations by China, which has increased its military activities near Taiwan. These activities include regular incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises close to the island.
Earlier on Saturday, the MND reported a significant increase in military activity, detecting 38 PLA (People’s Liberation Army) aircraft and 12 PLAN (People’s Liberation Army Navy) vessels around Taiwan. Of these, 32 aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ.
The MND’s statement highlighted, “We detected 38 PLA aircraft and 12 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. Thirty-two of these aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, but China continues to view Taiwan as part of its territory, insisting on eventual reunification, potentially by force.
