Taipei [Taiwan], September 23 : Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported on Monday that eight Chinese navy vessels were detected operating around Taiwan as of 6 am local time.
In a post on X, the Ministry stated, "8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. Today's illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operation around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe."
}}}}8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. Today's illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operation around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe. pic.twitter.com/aBZiQG3Nbp— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) September 23, 2024
Earlier, the ministry had said that it detected seven Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan from 6 am (local time) on Friday to 6 am (local time) on Saturday. In recent months, there has been a notable increase in Chinese military activity around Taiwan.
Taiwan has been closely monitoring these military movements and has issued statements emphasizing its preparedness to respond to any potential threats. The increase in military maneuvers by China has raised concerns among Taiwan and its allies, particularly the United States.
The US has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan's defense through arms sales and military support, which China sees as interference in its internal affairs.
In recent years, tensions have escalated, particularly with increased military maneuvers by China near Taiwan, including naval exercises and air incursions, which Taiwan perceives as aggressive intimidation tactics.
Taiwan has fortified its defense and sought support from the United States, which continues to provide arms and military training under the Taiwan Relations Act, maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity. Public sentiment in Taiwan increasingly favors a distinct national identity, with surveys indicating that a majority of the population identifies as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, complicating prospects for reunification.
According to Harvard Business Review, this evolving identity, coupled with the geopolitical significance of Taiwanparticularly in the semiconductor industryheightens global interest in the conflict, as instability in the region could have far-reaching economic consequences.
The situation remains precarious, with analysts warning that miscalculations by either side could lead to a military confrontation, thereby challenging regional and international security.
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