Taiwan Monitors Unusual Chinese Military Activity

Chinese military aircraft and naval ships spotted near Taiwan

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said that as of 6 a.m. (local time) on Sunday, seven Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval ships and three official ships were detected in the vicinity of Taiwan. According to Taiwan's MND, six of the seven People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's north, southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

In response to China's action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity. Sharing a post on X, MND wrote, "7 PLA aircraft, 14 PLAN ships, and 3 official ships were detected around Taiwan as of 6 am (UTC+8) today. 6 aircraft crossed the midline and entered the southwestern ADIZ of Taiwan. We have monitored the situation and reacted accordingly. "

Know what Taiwan's MND said?

A day earlier, the MND said 15 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval ships and four official ships were found operating around Taiwan as of 6 a.m. (local time) on Saturday. So far in December, Taiwan has seen Chinese military aircraft 71 times and ships 50 times. Since September 2020, China has been using the grey zone strategy by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan.

What did the Taipei Times report say?

The gray zone strategy is "an attempt or series of attempts beyond steady-position deterrence and assurance that seeks to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to the direct and large-scale use of force." Earlier on December 3, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry criticised China's interference in the diplomatic relations of other democracies, calling it "regrettable" that Beijing fails to understand normal diplomatic behaviour among democracies and thus often takes "provocative actions", reports the Taipei Times.

[Agency]