Taipei [Taiwan], September 5 : Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence has said that 14 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels and two official ships operating around Taiwan from Wednesday (local time) to Thursday (local time).
According to Taiwan's MND, 13 of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In response to Chinese military activity, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.
Taking to X, Taiwan MND stated, "14 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."
}}}}14 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded. pic.twitter.com/v60Nij8gZl— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) September 5, 2024
This latest incursion adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan, according to a Taiwan News report.
Gray zone tactics are considered "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force," the report said.
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
Earlier on September 3, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) accused China of launching a satellite over Taiwan with its flight path passing over the southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) of the island nation.
Taiwan MND said that the satellite launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) posed "no threat" to the nation, adding that Taiwan Armed Forces monitored the whole process and are ready to respond if the need arises.
"At 09:20 a.m.(UTC+8), #PLA launched a satellite from #XSLC, with its flight path passing over our southwestern ADIZ. Poses no threat to us, the flight path flew toward the West Pacific Ocean. #ROCArmedForces monitored the whole process and are ready to respond if necessary," Taiwan's MND stated in a post on X.
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