Taiwan reports median line violations by China, says 20 of 26 sorties of PLA aircraft entered its areas

Amid the brewing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan reported median line violations by the aircraft from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). On Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said that it had detected around 26 sorties from PLA aircraft. The manoeuvring from the Chinese side was detected at 6:40 am (local time).

The ministry stated that 20 out of the 26 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern regions. “Overall, 26 sorties #PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 0640hr today. 20 out of 26 sorties crossed the median line of the #Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ,” the ministry said in a statement.

“In conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” the ministry furthered. The latest Chinese development came a day after Taiwan said that it had detected one sortie of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and one official ship operating around the country on Sunday.

Similar sorties have been detected recently

Taiwan detected similar sorties by China last week, raising concerns about Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification.

China has intensified its cognitive warfare efforts against Taiwan after its United Front Work Department established a dedicated misinformation unit, the Taipei Times reported. The recent activities are also happening at a time when China is conducting the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference which is an annual assembly of the Chinese government known as the “two sessions”.

Earlier this week, the commander of the PLA said that the Chinese military remains on high alert and is always “ready to fight at all times and able to fight at any time” – to thwart any attempt at Taiwan independence. The warning from Lin Xiangyang, who heads the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, came during a symposium in Beijing on Friday, which was marked the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law.

With inputs from agencies.