Taiwan’s ministry of national defence ( MND ) reported a major spike in Chinese military activity around its air and maritime zones on Thursday, marking a continued pattern of pressure from Beijing.
According to the MND, 34 aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ), six naval vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy ( PLAN ) and two official ships were detected around the island until 6 a. m. ( local time ).
In a post on X, the MND confirmed,” 34 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am ( UTC+8 ) today. 14 out of 34 squadrons crossed the median range and entered Taiwan’s north, central and southern ADIZ. We have monitored the position and responded”.
This comes a time after Taiwan recorded 17 PLA plane, eight PLAN vessels, and one official send near its place. At that time, 11 of the 17 aircraft had also breached the median line and entered the island’s Air Defence Identification Zone ( ADIZ ).
These attacks are part of an exceedingly normal pattern of military force, as China continues to proclaim its states over Taiwan. The area has been self-governed since 1949, but Beijing views it as a breakaway state and has not ruled out the use of power for reconciliation under its” One China” plan.
In response to these risks, Taiwan’s defense remains on high alert. Earlier this month, the area began its largest annual defence activities, the Han Kuang war game.
According to the Taipei Times, the prolonged 14-day drills are aimed at preparing for a possible full-scale war and modeling “gray area” tactics, including use of drones, coastal army, and dust dredgers.
Major public Tung Chi-hsing, chairman of the MND’s combined operations planning department, had stated that this year’s exercises include computer-simulated battle scenarios, to be followed by live-fire drills between July 9 and 18, designed to improve the country’s protective readiness against PLA manoeuvres.
Meanwhile, Taiwan is also tackling economic threats. As per Taipei Times, Taiwan’s minister of economic affairs JW Kuo has warned about “origin laundering” by Chinese firms trying to evade US tariffs using fake” Made in Taiwan” labels.
Taiwan has launched multiple initiatives to stop this, including import tracking, stiffer penalties, and industry-wide awareness.
