Taipei: In the latest escalation of tensions, Taiwan has reported the detection of 16 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels within its vicinity over the past 24 hours, according to Taiwan News. The Ministry of National Defence (MND) disclosed that among the 16 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 12 breached the Taiwan Strait median line and encroached upon the southwest corner of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
Responding to the provocative maneuvers, Taiwan swiftly mobilized aircraft, naval assets, and air defence missile systems to monitor and address the PLA’s activities. This incident adds to the escalating frequency of such encounters, with Taiwan recording 101 instances of Chinese military aircraft and 79 naval vessels detected in April alone, as per Taiwan News.
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China’s adoption of gray zone tactics has become increasingly pronounced, characterized by a surge in military aircraft and naval presence around Taiwan. Gray zone tactics, as described in the Taiwan News report, refer to “efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.”
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This recent incident echoes similar occurrences, with the MND announcing on April 12th the detection of fourteen Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels encircling Taiwan. The persistent nature of these provocations underscores the precarious state of affairs in the region.
