Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported a significant increase in Chinese military activity around the island, marking the second "joint combat readiness patrol" in a week and raising tensions in the region. On Thursday, Taiwan detected 15 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 fighters, and several warships conducting operations close to its airspace and waters. This follows similar aggressive maneuvers that involved crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line-a line once regarded as an unofficial buffer between the two territories.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, has intensified its military maneuvers around the island, actions that the democratic government in Taipei vehemently opposes. The Chinese aircraft involved in the latest patrol crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) from the north, center, and southwest, with ten of these aircraft crossing the median line. This line, though historically acknowledged as a boundary of sorts, is now frequently breached by Chinese forces, which Beijing claims it does not recognize.
The escalation of military activities comes as Taiwan braces for the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te, a figure whom Beijing views unfavorably, labeling him a separatist. In response to these tensions, Taiwan's top security officials have heightened their alert for potential military exercises by China aimed at intimidating the island. According to Tsai Ming-yen, Director-General of Taiwan's National Security Bureau, China has not only increased the frequency of these patrols but has also introduced new tactics, including nighttime operations.
Taiwan's defensive response has been robust, involving the scrambling of combat patrol aircraft, the deployment of naval vessels, and the activation of land-based air defense missile systems. This defensive posture is maintained by continuous monitoring using advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
Moreover, the ongoing military pressure from China employs what experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) describe as "gray zone tactics." These tactics aim to coerce without leading to an outright military conflict, operating below the threshold of war but above routine diplomatic activities.
