18 Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan’s air defense identification zone

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said that 21 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 and KJ-500, were detected on Tuesday (local time).

The ministry further said that 18 of the 21 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered the eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ) of northern, central, southwestern and eastern Taiwan.

“Since 6:30 p.m. today, 21 #PLA aircraft of various types (including J-16, KJ-500, etc.) were detected. 18 of these crossed the median line of the #Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a post on X.

21 in total #PLA Today from 1830 hrs onwards, various types of aircraft (including J-16, KJ-500 etc.) were detected. Out of these, 18 crossed the centre line. #taiwan Passed through the Strait into the Northern, Central, Southwestern and Eastern ADIZ

— Ministry of National Defense, ROC 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) August 6, 2024

On Monday, Taiwan said nine Chinese military aircraft and nine naval ships were operating around Taiwan, six of which crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s eastern air defense identification zone.

In response, Taiwan monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

According to Taiwan News, so far in August, Taiwan has detected PLA aircraft 71 times and Chinese ships 36 times.

Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of grey zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan.

As Taiwan News reports, the gray zone strategy is “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and reassurance that seeks to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to the direct and large-scale use of force.

“This latest incident adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.

Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on reunification, by force if necessary.