Taiwan Reports Increased Chinese Military Activity Amid Rising Tensions

Taipei [Taiwan], November 12: Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported heightened Chinese military activity on Tuesday, detecting ten Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and five People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around the island. Notably, eight of these aircraft crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).

In an official statement shared on X, Taiwan’s MND stated, “10 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”

These incidents follow Monday’s detection of seven Chinese aircraft and five vessels near Taiwan, with two of the aircraft also crossing into Taiwan’s ADIZ. The recent incursions are part of a larger trend of increased Chinese military operations in the Taiwan Strait, with Taiwan’s defense ministry noting a significant rise in such activities since September 2020 as part of China’s “grey zone” tactics.

In response to rising regional tensions, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te recently held a high-level security conference, affirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding Taiwan’s democracy and security. His remarks were a response to the PLA’s large-scale military exercises, dubbed “Joint Sword-2024B,” in the Taiwan Strait, which China described as a “stern warning” to proponents of Taiwanese independence.

Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities continue, with President Lai recently attending the keel-laying ceremony for a new light frigate prototype at the Kaohsiung shipyard. This new vessel, under the Republic of China Navy (ROCN), reflects Taiwan’s push for bolstered maritime defenses amid ongoing security challenges in the region.