Taiwan (Washington Insider Magazine)— Between April 21 and April 22, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported detecting 10 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels near its territory, with eight aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line, a sensitive boundary between Taiwan and China. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval ships, and air defense missile systems to monitor the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) activity.
China has escalated “gray zone” tactics around Taiwan since September 2020, increasing its military presence without direct confrontation. Gray zone tactics involve operations that avoid large-scale force but achieve strategic goals, adding pressure without provoking open conflict. Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 203 times and naval vessels 131 times this month alone, reflecting this sustained pressure.
Tensions also simmer over Taiwan-held Kinmen Island, where China has frequently crossed into waters Taiwan claims. Although Beijing doesn’t recognize Taiwan’s claims, the Mainland Affairs Council argues that China’s recent incursions violate a previously unspoken adherence to these boundaries, disrupting the status quo
