Three Chinese planes cross Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone
The three Chinese planes breached Taiwan’s airspace between 6 a.m. (local time) on Saturday and 6 a.m. (local time) on Sunday.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it had detected eight Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels. Three of the aircraft had entered the Air Defense Identification Zone between 06:00 (local time) on Saturday and 06:00 (local time) on Sunday.
Of the eight Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan’s MND said it was monitoring the situation and responding accordingly.
In response to China’s military action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed missile systems on the coast to monitor PLA activities.
In a post on x, Taiwan’s MND said: “8 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected until 6am (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft crossed the center line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. We have been monitoring the situation and responding accordingly.”
This latest incident follows a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and sea incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
On Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported that 28 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels were in operation from 6 a.m. (local time) on Friday to 6 a.m. (local time) on Saturday.
Of the 28 aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), 22 crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
According to a report by Taiwan News, gray zone tactics are “an attempt or series of attempts that go beyond constant deterrence and assurance and aim to achieve one’s own security objectives without the direct and large-scale use of force.”
Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and is pushing for eventual reunification, by force if necessary.
First publication: Aug 11, 2024 | 07:37 AM IST