Taiwan's ministry of national defence (MoND) announced on Thursday that it detected 32 sorties by Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, along with 10 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and five official ships operating around the island up to 6 am (UTC+8). In a post on X, the ministry stated that 25 of the 32 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan said it closely monitored the situation and responded accordingly.
Previous Day's Activity
On Wednesday, Taiwan's MoND reported 18 PLA aircraft sorties, 8 PLAN vessels, and 6 official ships operating around its territory. The ministry posted on X that 14 of the 18 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern part of the ADIZ. The post read: "Taiwan detected up until 6 am (UTC+8) today. 14 out of 18 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded."
Submarine Sea Trials
Meanwhile, Focus Taiwan reported that Taiwan's first domestically built submarine departed from the port of Kaohsiung earlier in June for another phase of sea trials, including crucial underwater dive tests. The exercise marked the submarine's 15th sea trial overall and its ninth submerged-navigation test, according to the Military News Agency, as cited by Focus Taiwan.
Regional Context
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions as China continues to increase the intensity of its military activity around Taiwan. China's claim over Taiwan is rooted in a mix of historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is an integral part of China, a position embedded in its national policy and reinforced through its domestic laws and official diplomatic statements.
Taiwan, however, holds a different identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status is a significant point of international debate. The issue continues to test the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, according to the United Service Institution of India.
China's claim to Taiwan traces its roots to the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga.
