Chinese military presence around Taiwan intensifies with more aircraft and vessels.

The Taiwanese military has observed a significant increase in Chinese military activity around the island, with 21 combat aircraft and six naval vessels from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) spotted in the vicinity of Taiwan overnight from March 2 to March 3, 2024. According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, a Chinese drone also crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), while nine People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft penetrated the southwest sector of the ADIZ.
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Two J-20 stealth fighter jets from an aviation brigade of the PLA Air Force took to the skies during a flight training exercise in February 2024 (Picture source: Chinese MoD)

In response to China's actions, Taiwan deployed aircraft and warships, as well as air defense missiles, to monitor PLA activity. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense stated in a post on X that up until 6 a.m. this morning, 21 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels had been detected around Taiwan. Ten of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwest ADIZ. The Republic of China Armed Forces monitored the situation and deployed appropriate forces in response.

Since September 2020, China has intensified the use of gray zone tactics, increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Gray zone tactics refer to an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempt to achieve a country's security objectives without the direct and significant use of force.

The Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan had previously reported detecting nine Chinese military aircraft and eight vessels around Taiwan the previous week. Four of these PLA aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's ADIZ. The MND monitored the situation and responded by deploying the necessary resources and forces.

Tensions between Taiwan and China remain heightened due to Taiwan's independence aspirations and China's claims of sovereignty over the island. This complex dynamic has generated friction for decades, with China intensifying its efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan and regularly asserting its intention to reunify, by force if necessary.

Recent incursions by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone and naval maneuvers around the island are manifestations of this escalating pressure. In response, Taiwan is bolstering its defense capabilities with support from international partners, seeking to ensure its security and sovereignty against China's expansionist ambitions while advocating for a peaceful resolution of disputes.

Defense News March 2024