Taipei [Taiwan], September 27 - The Ministry of National Defence (MND) has reported an alarming uptick in Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan. Over a 24-hour span, the MND detected a total of 41 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six naval vessels encroaching on Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
Of the 41 PLA aircraft, 32 crossed the median line into various sectors of Taiwan’s ADIZ. In response to this aggressive maneuver, Taiwan deployed its own aircraft and naval ships, as well as coastal-based missile systems, to closely monitor and manage the situation.
This surge in Chinese military activity is part of a pattern of increased provocations by Beijing in recent months. Notably, China has been flexing its military muscle near Taiwan through regular air and naval incursions into Taiwanese airspace, along with conducting military exercises near the island.
In fact, just this month alone, Taiwan has tracked a total of 407 Chinese military aircraft and 206 ships operating near its borders. This troubling trend underscores China’s systematic use of gray zone tactics—subtle methods aimed at achieving strategic objectives without resorting to direct force.
The discord between China and Taiwan can be traced back to their historical divergence following World War II. While Taiwan has operated independently since 1949, Beijing vehemently asserts that it is an integral part of Chinese territory that must eventually be reunited with the mainland—by any means necessary.
These tensions were further exacerbated when President Lai Ching-te accused China in July of misinterpreting United Nations resolutions to justify its aggressive behavior toward Taiwan. In particular, Beijing claims that these resolutions align with its “One China” principle—an assertion that there is only one sovereign state named China encompassing both mainland China and Taipei—a notion vehemently opposed by Taiwanese authorities.
ANI Ref: https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/taiwan-detects-41-chinese-military-aircraft-6-naval-vessels-operating-around-the-island20240927092715/
The post Taiwan on High Alert: 41 Chinese Military Aircraft and 6 Naval Vessels Spotted Near its Territory first appeared on Asia News.
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Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT
Publish date : 2024-09-27 08:11:35
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