Taiwan Tracks Increased Chinese Military Presence

Taiwan Tracks Increased Chinese Military Presence/Focus_Taiwan

Dil Bar Irshad | May 30, 2024 | 02:43 PM IST | China, Taiwan, World | Follow on Google News

Taiwan Tracks Increased Chinese Military Presence

Taiwan Tracks Increased Chinese Military Presence

Between 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, and 6 a.m. on Thursday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported significant Chinese military activity around the island. The MND tracked 38 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and four coast guard ships, as reported by Taiwan News.

Key Developments:

1. Aircraft and Naval Vessel Incursions:

• Aircraft: Of the 38 PLA aircraft, 28 entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the north and southwest after crossing the Taiwan Strait median line.
• Naval Vessels: Seven Chinese naval ships and four coast guard ships were also detected around Taiwan.

1. Taiwan’s Response:

• Monitoring: Taiwan responded by deploying aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA operations.

1. Increase in Activity:

• Grey Zone Tactics: Since September 2020, China has ramped up its grey zone tactics, which involve increasing military presence around Taiwan to pressure the island without engaging in direct conflict. This month alone, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 441 times and naval/coast guard vessels 254 times.
• Definitions: Grey zone tactics are defined as efforts to achieve security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force.

1. Political Context:

• Taiwan’s Sovereignty: Despite never having governed Taiwan, China’s Communist Party considers the island part of its territory and has threatened to take it by force if necessary.
• US Lawmakers’ Visit: Recently, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning opposed the visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan, condemning any military contact between the US and Taiwan.
• Recent Drills: Last week, China conducted massive military drills near Taiwan, the largest in over a year, following the swearing-in of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, who is known for advocating Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Implications and Strategic Importance:

China’s increased military presence and the use of grey zone tactics around Taiwan underscore the ongoing tensions in the region. The frequent incursions and military drills reflect Beijing’s strategic pressure on Taiwan and signal its readiness to assert its claims over the island. Taiwan’s monitoring and response efforts highlight its vigilance and preparedness to counter these threats. The involvement of US lawmakers and the international community’s stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty continue to be critical in shaping the regional security dynamics.

Source: Focus Taiwan

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.