TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) tracked 18 Chinese military aircraft and four naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 15) and 6 a.m. on Thursday (Feb. 16).

Of the 18 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, three were spotted in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Two Shenyang J-11 fighter jets crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northeast sector of the ADIZ, while one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane entered the southwest corner of the zone.

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, naval ships, and used land-based missiles to monitor the PLA aircraft and vessels.

So far this month, Beijing has sent 166 military aircraft and 71 naval ships around Taiwan. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by routinely sending aircraft into Taiwan’s ADIZ.

Gray zone tactics are defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force.”



Flight paths of three out of 18 PLA aircraft. (MND image)