Taiwan tracks 38 Chinese military aircraft and 11 ships across the country

According to Taiwan News, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense tracked 38 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval ships and four coast guard ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, and 6 a.m. on Thursday.

The MND noted that 28 of the 38 PLA aircraft crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered the country’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the north and southwest.

Taiwan responded by monitoring PLA operations with aircraft, naval ships and coastal-based missile systems.

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

According to Taiwan News, gray zone tactics are defined as “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.”

During this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 441 times and naval/coast guard ships 254 times.

Just yesterday, Taiwan detected 13 Chinese military aircraft, five naval ships and four coast guard vessels around the country.

Despite never ruling Taiwan, China’s ruling Communist Party considers it part of its territory and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary.

Earlier on May 27, the Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly opposed the recent visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan. Amid the visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said that Beijing strongly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan as well as any attempt to arm Taiwan.

The visit of US lawmakers to the self-governed island of Taiwan comes days after China carried out ‘large-scale’ military exercises near Taiwan.

Last week’s drills were the largest conducted by China in more than a year, and came just days after Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te was sworn in.

Lai Ching Te is openly despised by Beijing for its promotion of the island’s sovereignty and distinct character.