Taiwan detects 41 Chinese military aircraft, 6 naval ships near its territory

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it detected 15 Chinese military aircraft and 7 naval vessels in the vicinity of Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday (local time) and 6 a.m. Saturday (local time).

According to the MND, 10 of the 15 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country’s southwestern and southeastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval vessels to monitor PLA activity.

“As of 6am today (UTC+8), 15 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating in the vicinity of Taiwan were detected. 10 aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” Taiwan MND said on X.

China sent 41 military aircraft and six naval ships towards Taiwan on Friday. According to the MND, 32 of the 41 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).

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

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

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked 407 Chinese military aircraft and 206 ships. 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.

Gray zone strategy is defined as “a series of efforts or efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and reassurance that attempt to achieve one’s security objectives without the direct and substantial use of force.”

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

Earlier in July, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te accused the Chinese government of misinterpreting a UN resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan and making inappropriate connections with its “One China” principle Was, the Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

Beijing claims the UN resolution reaffirms its one-China principle, meaning there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China.