TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported tracking eight Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday.
Seven of the eight People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, entering the nation’s northern and southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the MND. Additionally, a Chinese balloon was tracked as it floated over southern Taiwan.
In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems to monitor PLA activity.
This month, Taiwan has tracked 115 Chinese military aircraft and 78 naval vessels. Since September 2020, China has increasingly employed gray zone tactics, gradually escalating the presence of military aircraft and naval vessels around Taiwan.
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.”
