Image Credit: Taiwan News
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported that nine Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels were detected around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday, marking a continued show of force from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). According to the Ministry, three of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, penetrating the island’s central and southwest air defense identification zones (ADIZ).
Taiwan’s response involved dispatching aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal-based missile systems to closely monitor the PLA’s maneuvers. The escalation reflects a broader pattern observed this month, with PLA aircraft having been tracked 218 times and Chinese naval vessels 106 times around Taiwan’s airspace and waters. These incidents form part of what analysts have termed China’s gray zone tactics, aimed at applying pressure on Taiwan without engaging in outright conflict.
Gray zone tactics, as defined by experts, are efforts that fall short of direct and substantial use of military force yet aim to achieve strategic objectives, often by maintaining a state of constant tension. Since September 2020, there has been a notable increase in such activities by China, with a gradual rise in the number of military operations in Taiwan’s vicinity, signaling a deliberate effort to keep the island under continuous pressure.
This ongoing situation has further strained cross-strait relations, with Taiwan’s defense officials maintaining a vigilant stance against what they perceive as attempts by China to intimidate and unsettle the island through persistent military presence. Taiwan’s defense forces remain on high alert, prepared to respond to any escalation while emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding the island’s sovereignty.