Though Chinese forces are 44.4 kilometres (24 nautical miles) from Taiwan’s coast, the island has not recorded any incidents involving Chinese forces entering this area. However, last year a civilian drone that was flying near an islet off the Chinese shore violated its airspace and was shot down.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) might find justifications to enter areas close to Taiwan’s territorial air and sea space, according to Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng in response to questions from lawmakers in parliament. Beijing is enraged by Taiwan’s increased military exchanges with the US.
He warned that the PLA could “suddenly enter” Taiwan’s contiguous zone, which the island describes as being 22 kilometres (12 nautical miles) from its coast.
In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Beijing “will take firm measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Taiwan has said it will exercise its right to self-defence and counterattack if Chinese armed forces enter its territory.
Taiwan must be on alert this year for a “sudden entry” by the Chinese military into areas close to its territory as tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait, its defence minister warned.
China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including almost daily air force incursions into the island’s air defence identification zone.
