Taiwan’s MND reported Chinese military activity

Taipe: As of 6 a.m. (local time) on Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has identified 17 Chinese military aircraft, eight navy ships, and three government ships operating around the nation.

According to Taiwan’s MND, 15 of these missions reached Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and southeast Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) after crossing the Taiwan Strait’s middle line. Taiwan’s military responded to Chinese actions by deploying coastal missile systems, planes, and navy vessels to keep an eye on the situation.

“Up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today, we detected 17 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels, and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan,” Taiwan’s MND said in a post on X. Fifteen sorties reached Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and southeast ADIZ after crossing the median line. We have kept an eye on things and taken action.

As Beijing continues to establish its claims over the island, this episode is part of a recent trend of China’s more aggressive maneuvers surrounding Taiwan, which raises worries about regional stability. Since 1949, Taiwan has operated under its own government. But China insists on ultimate reunification, even if it means using force, since it views Taiwan as part of its territory.

According to Taiwan News, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim emphasized Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its defenses against China on February 21. When she spoke at the Halifax International Security Forum in Taipei, she said these things.

According to Hsiao, the forum’s choice to have its first meeting in Taiwan shows that the international community values Taiwan’s initiatives to advance freedom, democracy, and peace in the Indo-Pacific area. According to her, it also gives Taiwan more obligation to uphold these principles. The vice president of Taiwan cautioned the populace that peace cannot be taken for granted and that alertness is required.

There is a lot of work to be done, she continued, and action must be taken immediately. As Hsiao Bi-khim put it, “values do matter,” and democracy is the best form of government that “empowers humanity to strive for peace.”

According to Taiwan News, she emphasized the need to oppose tyranny and aggressiveness with caution and pragmatism. She discussed the “Four Pillars of Peace” plan of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, which “focuses on strengthening Taiwan’s defense, building economic security, enhancing partnerships with democratic nations, and exercising steady and principled leadership in cross-strait relations.”

According to Hsiao, Taiwan is putting the first of these pillars into practice by enacting defense reforms and raising its defense budget. Increased professional conscription, reservist training, giving asymmetric weapon purchases priority, and setting up a defense innovation agency are some of these measures.