22 Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan’s air defense identification zone

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it detected 28 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval ships, and that 22 of them entered its air defense identification zone from 6 am (local time) on Friday to 6 am (local time) on Saturday.

22 of the 28 aircraft of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern air defense identification zones (ADIZ). Taiwan’s MND said it has monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

In response to China’s military action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.

Taiwan’s MND told X, “As of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today, 28 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN ships have been observed around Taiwan. 22 of these aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and taken action accordingly.”

This latest incident is among 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.

On Friday, the Taiwanese MND said that 18 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval ships were operating from 6 am (local time) on Thursday to 6 am (local time) on Friday.

Twelve of the 18 aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern air defense identification zones (ADIZ).

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

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