Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence detected seven aircraft from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and over 10 vessels from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the vicinity of Taiwan on Sunday. The Ministry’s statement revealed the presence of seven PLA aircraft, 14 PLAN vessels, and four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the area up until 6 am.
In response to the situation, Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored and addressed the developments. The Ministry stated in a post on social media platform X that the ROCArmedForces had been actively monitoring and responding to the presence of the Chinese military assets around Taiwan.
The heightened military activity comes after the Ministry detected 62 PLA aircraft and 27 PLAN vessels operating near Taiwan the previous day. Notably, 47 of the aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) from the southwest, southeast, and eastern regions.
Amidst the escalating tensions, Taiwan’s Ministry emphasized the destabilizing impact of the Chinese Communist Party’s military exercises on regional peace and stability. The provocative maneuvers underscored the ongoing geopolitical complexities in the Taiwan Strait, with Taiwan reiterating its commitment to defending its sovereignty and democratic principles.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te recently reaffirmed his dedication to safeguarding Taiwan against external challenges and upholding the values of freedom and democracy. In a speech, he emphasized the imperative of defending these principles and maintaining peace and stability in the region amidst mounting military pressure from China.