In a recent announcement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence (MND) revealed that it detected seven Chinese military aircraft and two naval vessels operating near the island nation. This activity was tracked between Friday, December 22, at 6 AM and Monday, December 22, at 2 AM.
Of the seven People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, two Xi’an H-6s and one Shaanxi Y-8 entered Taiwan’s southwest and southeast air defence identification zones (ADIZ), heightening tensions in the region, as reported by Taiwan News.
In response to the detected presence, Taiwan took proactive measures by closely monitoring PLA operations using its own planes, naval ships, and air defence missile systems. The move comes as part of Taiwan’s commitment to safeguard its sovereignty amid increasing military activities in the region.
This incident is not isolated, as Beijing has reportedly encircled Taiwan with 126 navy vessels and 198 military planes throughout the month. China has been employing “grey zone tactics” since September 2020, gradually expanding its military presence in the Taiwan area without resorting to direct and sizable use of force.
Grey zone tactics, as defined, involve efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance, aiming to achieve security objectives without a direct and substantial use of force. This marks a concerning trend, as the frequency of such tactics has risen since September 2020, posing challenges for regional stability and security.
As tensions persist, the international community closely watches developments in the Taiwan Strait, with concerns growing over the potential escalation of military activities and the impact on regional stability. Diplomatic efforts are crucial to address the underlying issues and promote peaceful resolutions to prevent any further deterioration of the situation.
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