Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported on Sunday that from 6 am Saturday to 6 am Sunday (local time), it detected 12 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels. Seven of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southeastern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Taiwan’s MND stated, “12 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 4 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
This incident is part of a series of similar actions by China in recent months. China has reportedly increased its military presence around Taiwan, with frequent air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ and military exercises near the island.
Earlier on Saturday, Taiwan’s MND detected 38 aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and 12 vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) around its territory. The ministry reported that 32 of these aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s eastern ADIZ.
“38 PLA aircraft and 12 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 32 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” the Defence Ministry said.
It is worth noting that Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and maintains that reunification must eventually occur, by force if necessary.