Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported the detection of 13 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and seven People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating around Taiwan until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) on Friday. According to the MND, 11 of the detected aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
In a post shared on X, the MND stated, “13 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today,” adding, “11 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
Earlier on Thursday, Taiwan’s MND had reported 10 PLA aircraft and six PLAN vessels around its territory, with six aircraft crossing the median line into Taiwan’s ADIZ.
In recent weeks, China has demonstrated a marked increase in military activity, particularly in preparations for a potential invasion of Taiwanese shores. This includes the official launch of a large landing helicopter assault (LHA) vessel, a unique asset that no other navy in the world currently possesses, along with the mass production of floating bridge docks designed to assist with beach landings. These developments strongly suggest that China is seriously preparing for a possible invasion of Taiwan.
The Taiwan-China issue remains a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict focused on Taiwan’s sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and adheres to the “One China” policy, asserting that there is only one China with Beijing as its capital.
This conflict has been a source of ongoing tension, dating back to the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan following the Communist Party’s victory on the mainland. China has consistently pursued reunification through diplomatic, economic, and military pressures, while Taiwan continues to maintain its independence, supported by a significant portion of its population.