Escalating Tensions: Taiwan Monitors Increased Chinese Military Activity

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence reports significant Chinese military operations near its territory, with multiple aircraft and naval vessels detected. Taiwan has responded with deployments to monitor the situation amid ongoing regional tensions.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) has reported increased Chinese military activity near its territory. According to Taiwan's MND, 17 Chinese military aircraft and 11 naval vessels operated near Taiwan from 6 am Thursday to 6 am Friday. Among the 17 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 14 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan dispatched aircraft, naval ships, and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA activities.

In a social media post, Taiwan's MND stated, "17 PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Previously, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence reported that 29 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Of the 29 PLA aircraft, 13 crossed the median line, entering Taiwan's northern, central, southwest, and eastern ADIZ. Similar to the prior incident, Taiwan responded with aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems. The Defence Ministry reiterated, "29 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 13 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

This latest incident is part of a series of provocations by China, which has intensified its military presence around Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait remains a hotspot for tensions, with Beijing asserting its claim over Taiwan and maintaining the option of reunification by force.

On July 30, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te criticized the Chinese government for misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to legitimize its military activities against Taiwan, as reported by the Central News Agency (CNA). Lai condemned China's inaccurate interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, which Beijing uses to justify its "One China" principle.

During the annual Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit in Taipei, Lai contended that China's actions aim to establish a legal basis for its military aggression against Taiwan and hinder Taiwan's participation in international organizations. According to CNA, China asserts that the UN resolution endorses its one-China principle, which claims there is only one China, and Taiwan is part of it. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)