China sent 27 military aircraft, six naval ships towards Taiwan

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said 27 Chinese military aircraft and six naval ships were detected operating around Taiwan from 6 a.m. Sunday (local time) to 6 a.m. Monday.

According to Taiwan’s MND, 19 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait midline in the country’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ).

In a post on Twitter, Taiwan MND said, “27 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6am today (UTC+8). 19 aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

This latest Chinese military activity adds to a series of similar provocations by Beijing in recent months.

On Sunday, the Taiwanese MND said four Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan from 6 a.m. Saturday (local time) to 6 a.m. Sunday (local time).

The statement said the two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ).

In a post on Twitter, Taiwan MND said, “4 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6am today (UTC+8). 2 aircraft crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

After three days of no Chinese activity, Taiwan detected Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels in its vicinity on Saturday, a statement from Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.

China has increased its military activities near Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.

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