Ministry says Taiwan has detected 21 Chinese military aircraft, 17 of which have crossed the Taiwan Strait median line

In an official post on Twitter, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said, “We have detected movements of 21 PLA aircraft, including J-16, Y-8 and drones, since 0815 (UTC+8). 17 aircraft crossed the median line and its expanse, entered our northern, central, and southwestern ADIZ, and joined PLA ships for joint combat patrol.

We detected movements of 21 PLA aircraft, including J-16, Y-8 and drones, since 0815 (UTC+8). 17 aircraft crossed the median line and its expanse, entered our northern, central, and southwestern ADIZ, and joined PLA ships for joint combat patrol.

– Ministry of National Defense, ROC 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) 20 April 2024

According to Taiwan News, the MND said the planes dispatched by the Chinese military were spotted at 8:15 a.m. and included Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, Shaanxi Y-8 transport aircraft and a variety of unmanned aerial vehicles.

According to the ministry, 17 aircraft either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) from the northern, central and southwestern parts of the country in conjunction with patrolling activities conducted by Chinese military ships. Entered. In the areas.

In response to this violation by China, the MND confirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation and have “sent appropriate assets” to respond to the situation accordingly.

The Defense Ministry earlier tracked three Chinese military aircraft entering the median line or its extension in a 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. Friday, according to Taiwan News.

So far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 164 times and naval ships 110 times. Taiwan News reported on Friday that since September 2020, China has increased the use of gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan.

Gray zone strategy is defined as “a series of efforts or efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and reassurance that attempt to achieve one's security objectives without the direct and substantial use of force.”

The midline of the Taiwan Strait served as a secret border for decades, but since former United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022, the Chinese military has more openly sent aircraft, warships and drones across it Which has become the highest level. Visiting American official in nearly three decades.

ADIZ is a self-declared zone in which a country claims the right to identify, detect and control foreign aircraft approaching but not part of its territorial airspace as defined by international law.