Image Credit: The Economic Times
From 6 a.m. on July 29 to 6 a.m. on July 30, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported an increase in Chinese military activity around the island. During these 24 hours, the MND tracked 14 Chinese military aircraft and nine naval vessels in the surrounding area.
The MND indicated that seven of the 14 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, entering the northern and central sectors of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). This incursion prompted Taiwan to deploy its aircraft and naval ships and activate coastal-based missile systems to monitor and respond to the PLA’s movements.
This heightened activity is part of a broader pattern observed since September 2020, when China began employing gray zone tactics. These tactics involve a gradual increase in the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan, contributing to ongoing regional tensions.
So far in July, the MND has recorded a total of 553 instances of Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s ADIZ and 216 instances involving naval vessels. This surge reflects China’s sustained strategy of applying pressure on Taiwan through incremental military maneuvers.
The MND’s data highlights the ongoing nature of cross-strait tensions and Taiwan’s proactive approach to managing these developments. The island nation’s response, including the deployment of military assets to monitor PLA activity, underscores its commitment to maintaining national security amidst the rising frequency of Chinese military operations in the region. The situation remains under close observation as Taiwan continues to address these evolving security challenges.