Taipei: In the past 24 hours until 6 am local time Feb 29th Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported the presence of 19 military aircraft and seven naval vessels from China in close proximity to Taiwan.
Of the 19 aircraft belonging to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), 12 were observed crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence. Responding to this activity, Taiwan deployed its own aircraft, naval ships, and air defense missile systems to monitor the movements of the People’s Liberation Army, as reported by Taiwan News.
19 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 12 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. pic.twitter.com/Hb4HOVOOdF
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) February 29, 2024
In an official statement released by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence on X platform, it was stated, “Until 6 a.m. (UTC 8) today, we have detected 19 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan. Among them, 12 aircraft breached the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered our northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have been vigilant and have utilized CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems to respond to the observed activities.”
In February alone, Taiwan has recorded 253 instances of Chinese military aircraft and 150 instances of naval ships operating in close proximity. China has been increasingly employing gray zone tactics since September 2020, characterized by actions aimed at achieving strategic objectives without direct and overt use of force.
At a conference organized by the Defence Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley, Admiral Samuel Paparo, the nominee to lead US Indo-Pacific Command, cautioned about China’s potential to employ military exercises as a cover for a possible invasion of Taiwan, as reported by Taiwan News. The conference aimed to explore collaborations between the private sector and the US military to enhance defense capabilities leveraging emerging technologies.
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