Taiwan reported a significant increase in Chinese military aircraft activity around the island, with 30 such aircraft detected within a 24-hour period on Wednesday, marking one of the highest daily counts this year, according to a report by AFP.
China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory and has consistently refused to rule out the use of force to assert control over the island, the report noted.
Taiwan’s defense ministry revealed that 20 of the detected aircraft crossed into the island’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ministry stated that Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored the situation and responded by deploying patrol aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems, as quoted by AFP.
Last month, Taiwan observed 36 Chinese warplanes around the island within a 24-hour period, the highest daily count recorded this year.
The recent surge in military activities mirrors a trend of “grey zone” actions – actions that fall short of outright warfare – according to experts.
These actions have intensified since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, who holds a stance that Beijing considers crossing a red line by asserting Taiwan’s “already independent” status.
China routinely sends warplanes and naval vessels near Taiwan, with balloon flights over the island also seeing an increase.
Taiwan’s Vice President-elect, Lai Ching-te, who is viewed unfavorably by Beijing, emerged victorious in the January 13 presidential election. Lai, along with Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is set to assume office on May 20.
The ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China continue to raise regional concerns, with Beijing remaining steadfast in its determination to reclaim the self-governing island.
