Between 6 am on Sunday and 6 am on Monday, Taiwan detected 23 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operating near its territory, according to Taiwan News. Out of these, 19 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line into the northern, southwestern, and eastern parts of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan deployed its aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor and counter this activity.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of Chinese military pressure on Taiwan. On June 23, Taiwan reported tracking 15 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around its territory. Throughout June, Chinese military aircraft have been detected around Taiwan 324 times, and naval or coast guard vessels have been seen 190 times.
This increase in activity is part of China’s gray zone tactics, which aim to exert pressure without engaging in direct conflict.
Gray zone tactics are strategies used to achieve security goals without resorting to open warfare. Since September 2020, China has been using these tactics more frequently, gradually increasing the presence of military aircraft and naval ships around Taiwan. These actions are intended to intimidate and wear down Taiwan’s defenses and resolve.
Taiwan is a significant and sensitive issue in China’s foreign policy. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. This stance has led to continuous military activities around Taiwan, including regular incursions into its ADIZ.
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In a related development, a Chinese rocket carrying a satellite flew over southern Taiwan on Saturday. The rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan at 3 pm. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence (MND) reported that the rocket had left Earth’s atmosphere by the time it passed over Taiwan. The MND had been closely monitoring the launch and had informed the public about the upcoming event the day before.
Taiwan’s MND used its intelligence and surveillance systems to track the rocket’s path in real-time. This vigilance is part of Taiwan’s broader efforts to maintain awareness and preparedness in the face of increasing Chinese military activities.
These incidents highlight the ongoing tension between China and Taiwan. As China continues to assert its claims over Taiwan through increased military presence and activities, Taiwan remains vigilant, deploying its defense systems and monitoring potential threats.
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