Taiwan Reports Increased Military Activity from China

On August 3, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced its observation of five aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and seven naval vessels from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operating near its territory. In a post on social media platform X, the MND confirmed that they have taken appropriate measures in response to these activities.

Previously, on Saturday, the MND had noted 11 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels in the same region, while on Friday, they detected 20 PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels. These continual military exercises and operations demonstrate the increasing strain in the relationship between Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), and China.

Taiwan operates independently with its own governance structures, separate from the political and economic systems of mainland China. Despite this independence, China asserts that Taiwan is part of its territory under the 'One China' doctrine, maintaining that there is only one China, headquartered in Beijing. This long-standing dispute originated after the Chinese Civil War in 1949 when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan following the Communist Party's rise to power in mainland China.

Since then, Beijing has consistently aimed for reunification with Taiwan, applying military, diplomatic, and economic pressure to undermine Taiwan's international standing. Nevertheless, Taiwan continues to enjoy de facto independence supported by public opinion, and it strives to maintain sovereignty in the face of external challenges. The MND remains vigilant in monitoring military movements and minimizing risks to national security while keeping the public informed on these developments.