Taiwan’s defense ministry reported increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan over the weekend. Between 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Taiwan detected 12 Chinese aircraft and eight naval vessels near its borders.
Nine of these aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan’s southwestern and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan deployed its aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the activity.
So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military activity around Taiwan 163 times for aircraft and 67 times for naval vessels. Since September 2020, China has progressively increased its military presence around Taiwan. Experts describe this behavior as part of China’s gray zone tactics, which aim to intimidate Taiwan without direct military confrontation.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) defines gray zone tactics as efforts designed to achieve security objectives without large-scale force. These efforts include military pressure and other non-traditional methods, which stop short of all-out war.
Taiwan’s defense systems continue to monitor the situation closely. This rise in Chinese military activity around Taiwan has raised concerns over regional security. Taiwan remains on high alert, continuing its response with a combination of military monitoring and diplomatic calls for global attention to China’s increasingly assertive tactics.
The growing presence of Chinese forces around Taiwan has become a routine concern for the island’s security. With increasing frequency, Taiwan has had to strengthen its defense measures, making sure its readiness is up to par for future challenges.
The rise in Chinese military activity around Taiwan signals a shift in China’s approach, one that blends intimidation with subtle pressure, testing Taiwan’s defenses while avoiding direct conflict. This evolving tactic could influence the region’s stability in the coming years.
