Escalating Tensions: Chinese Military Activities Surge Near Taiwan

Taiwan reports heightened Chinese military operations, with 12 aircraft and 7 vessels encroaching near its airspace and waters. The actions mark an increase in Beijing's gray zone tactics, amid ongoing disputes over Taiwan's sovereignty and recent provocations since Pelosi's 2022 visit.

Tensions continue to rise in the Taiwan Strait as Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence observed 12 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around Taiwan early Tuesday morning. Of these, eight aircraft penetrated the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering the southwest area of Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), as reported by Voice of America (VoA).

In a swift response, Taiwan mobilized its air and naval forces and deployed coastal missile systems for continuous monitoring of PLA movements. Saturday marked a resumption of Chinese military presence after a three-day lull, according to a statement from Taiwan's Ministry of Defence. This month alone, Beijing has sent 56 military aircraft and 22 naval vessels near Taiwan, escalating its gray zone tactics since September 2020, VoA noted.

China's recent military activities highlight a pattern of provocations that intensify regional tensions. Beijing has stepped up its incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ and proximity exercises, utilizing gray zone tactics—actions that aim to achieve strategic objectives without deploying substantial direct force. The historical median line in the Taiwan Strait, once a de facto boundary, has seen increased Chinese breaches, particularly after former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit in August 2022. Despite separation during the 1949 civil war, Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory, eyeing its tech-driven economy while the island maintains self-governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)