Taipei: As of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported the detection of 36 sorties from People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and 8 vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operating in the vicinity of Taiwan. The MND noted that 29 of these sorties crossed the median line, entering Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Additionally, a Chinese balloon was also detected.
In a post on X, the MND stated, “We detected 36 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels around Taiwan up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today.” They emphasized that “29 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern ADIZ. One PRC balloon was detected during this time.”
The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict focused on Taiwan’s sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates independently with its own government, military, and economy. However, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and upholds the “One China” policy, asserting that there is only one China with Beijing as its capital. China has consistently aimed for reunification with Taiwan, employing diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate it internationally. Meanwhile, Taiwan, backed by a significant portion of its population, continues to assert its independence.
On February 17, Taiwan’s MND firmly stated that the Taiwan Strait does not fall under Chinese sovereignty, highlighting that the freedom of navigation exercised by like-minded countries supports this legal status. The MND criticized China’s military actions toward Taiwan and neighboring countries, asserting that these actions underscore China’s role as the most significant threat to regional peace and stability. In a post on X on Monday, the MND declared, “The Taiwan Strait is by no means under PRC sovereignty! The freedom of navigation by like-minded countries affirms its legal status. #PLA military actions against #Taiwan and its neighbors only reinforce that the PRC is the greatest threat to regional peace and stability.”