Taiwan Detects 3 Chinese Military Aircraft, 6 Warships Near Island; One Enters Air Defence Zone

Chinese military and maritime activity around Taiwan is continuing. According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and four official ships were found operating around the island by Tuesday morning. One of the aircraft entered Taiwan's south-western Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan's air defence zone

The ministry said the aircraft, six PLAN warships and four official ships were seen on patrol around the island by morning. One Chinese aircraft entered the south-western ADIZ directly. Taiwan's armed forces responded promptly, issued a warning over radio and kept a close watch on Chinese movements.

Activity reported for second day

A day earlier, three Chinese military aircraft, five naval vessels and four official ships had also been seen around Taiwan. On Monday, one Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ.

Sharp rise in Chinese ships around Taiwan

The number of Chinese ships detected in Taiwan's waters has risen sharply in recent months. According to Taiwan's coast guard figures, 30 Chinese ships were recorded around the island in May and 55 in June. In July, a record 244 were recorded, an average of about eight ships a day.

About 60 per cent of them were China Coast Guard vessels. Regular Chinese navy warships are not included in these figures. A total of 1,247 Chinese ship movements had been recorded from May to the first three weeks of August. Taiwanese officials have described the situation as very serious.

Research vessels: data could be shared with military

Besides warships and aircraft, China is also using civilian research vessels, according to US military analysts. They say the maritime data collected by civilian research institutions could be shared with China's military. In their assessment, such information could be of considerable help to China in future submarine and anti-submarine warfare operations.