Taiwan detects 16 Chinese military aircraft, 13 naval ships near its territory

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said that as of 6 a.m. Friday (local time), 16 Chinese military aircraft, 13 naval ships and two official ships were detected operating around Taiwan.

According to Taiwan’s MND, seven of the 16 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern air defense identification zones (ADIZ).

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

In a statement shared on Twitter, Taiwan’s MND said, “16 PLA aircraft, 13 PLAN ships and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6am today (UTC+8). 7 aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”

So far in December, Taiwan has detected Chinese military aircraft 71 times and ships 50 times. Since September 2020, China has been using gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan.

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 use of force.”

The incident follows a recent pattern of increased maneuvers by China around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims to the island.

Earlier on December 3, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry had criticized China’s interference in the diplomatic relations of other democratic countries, calling it “regrettable” that Beijing fails to understand normal diplomatic behavior between democratic countries and this The type often performs “provocative actions”, the Taipei Times reported.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry statement came as China criticized Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s phone call with US Representative Nancy Pelosi during her visit to Hawaii and also expressed its concern over the US decision to sell arms worth US$387 million to Taiwan. Expressed disapproval.

The announcement came just before President Lai embarked on a 7-day visit to visit Taiwan’s allies in the Pacific region, according to the Taipei Times.

“It is regrettable that the Chinese government does not understand normal diplomatic behavior between democratic countries, so it often takes provocative actions,” Taiwan’s ministry said Tuesday. he/she urged Beijing to “be rational and exercise self-restraint.”

According to the Taipei Times, Pelosi told Lai in the phone call that “the U.S. Congress shows bipartisan support for Taiwan”, the ministry said, adding that she also noted her support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.

It states, “The Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent sovereign state with the right and free choice to negotiate and develop relations with countries around the world.”

In response, the Taiwanese government thanked the US for upholding its commitment to Taiwan’s security based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances”.