Taiwan reported tracking eight Chinese aircraft and eight naval vessels near its territory on Friday morning, according to the country’s defence ministry. Three of these aircraft entered Taiwan’s southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), prompting a response from Taiwanese armed forces.
“8 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 3 of the aircraft entered our southwestern ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) posted on X.
Since September 2020, China has escalated its gray zone tactics, increasing the presence of military aircraft and naval ships near Taiwan. In June alone, Taiwan has detected Chinese military aircraft near its territory over 132 times and naval/coast guard vessels more than 109 times, Taiwan News reported.
Earlier this week, Taiwan detected 23 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operating around the island from 6 am on Wednesday to 6 am on Thursday. Of these, 19 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest and eastern ADIZ. In response, Taiwanese armed forces deployed aircraft and naval ships and activated coastal-based missile systems to monitor the activity.
According to Taiwan News, gray zone tactics involve “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.”
This latest incident is part of a series of similar provocations by China in recent months, marked by regular air and naval incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, remains a contentious issue in China’s foreign policy. China asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan, considers it part of its territory, and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary.