14 Chinese aircraft and 8 vessels detected around Taiwan, island steps up vigilance

Chinese military activity around Taiwan has risen once again. Fourteen aircraft of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) were reported to have operated in Taiwan's airspace. Seven Chinese Navy ships and one official vessel were also sighted around the island. Taiwan's security establishment has stepped up vigilance as a result.

According to Taiwan's defence officials, the movement of 14 Chinese military aircraft was recorded between 6 am on October 6 and 6 am on October 7. Nine of them entered Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) to the north, centre and south-west of the island.

Such Chinese military patrols around Taiwan take place regularly, so the situation is no longer new for the island. Even so, the number of aircraft and their movement from different directions have kept tensions high.

To keep watch on Chinese activity, Taiwan also put its military arrangements on alert. Patrol aircraft of Taiwan's air force, Navy ships and coastal missile systems were deployed. Every move by China is said to be under close watch, and Taiwan's defence system is reported to be ready to respond to any possible threat.

For some time now, China has appeared to be pursuing a strategy of increasing pressure around Taiwan through aircraft and naval deployments.

China regards Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory, and Beijing has also kept open the option of using force, if necessary, to take control of the island. Taiwan, on the other hand, runs its own government, military and separate administrative system.

For this reason, the Taiwan issue is counted among the most sensitive in the Asia-Pacific. With China's growing military activity, the United States, Japan and other countries are also watching developments in the region. There are no signs at present that China is about to begin large-scale military action, but the heightened military presence around Taiwan keeps alive the possibility of further tension.