The Taiwan Ministry of Defence (MND) reported on Wednesday the presence of Chinese military vessels near its vicinity. According to the ministry’s statement, seven People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. (UTC+8).
Taiwan’s Armed Forces monitored the situation and responded accordingly. “Seven PLAN vessels and four CCG vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces has monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” the Taiwan MND said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the ministry detected eight Chinese naval vessels around the nation until 6 p.m. Additionally, six PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. Six of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. In response, Taiwan deployed naval ships and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLAN activity.
This development marks a concerning escalation in tensions between Taiwan and China, which has long claimed sovereignty over the island, according to Taiwan News. The increased presence of Chinese military assets near Taiwan underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Taiwan has frequently raised concerns about China’s military activities and its ambitions to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, by force if necessary.
The median line of the Taiwan Strait served for decades as a tacit border between China and Taiwan, but China’s military has more freely sent aircraft, warships, and drones across it since former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.
Grey zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force.”
