21 Chinese planes detected by Taiwan days after drills

Taipei reported on Monday that it had detected 21 Chinese military aircraft and 15 navy or coastguard vessels operating around Taiwan in the past 24 hours. This development comes on the heels of a large-scale Chinese military drill that encircled the island last Thursday.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has repeatedly stated it will use force if necessary to bring the island under Beijing's control. Taiwan's defense ministry confirmed that 10 of the Chinese aircraft had crossed into Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the past day, prompting a measured response from Taiwan’s military forces.

The recent military activities follow last week's provocative exercises by Chinese forces, which included warships and fighter jets surrounding Taiwan in what Beijing described as a rehearsal for a potential invasion. During these two-day drills, China issued stern warnings to pro-independence forces, threatening that any pursuit of independence would result in severe consequences, figuratively described as leaving them "with their heads broken and blood flowing."

In recent years, China has intensified its military pressure on Taiwan, maintaining a near-daily presence of warplanes, drones, and naval vessels in the vicinity of the island. Experts refer to these actions as "grey zone tactics," which are intended to wear down Taiwan's military resources without crossing into direct conflict.

Despite the escalating military pressure, Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, expressed a willingness to engage with China. In his inaugural speech last Monday, Lai indicated a readiness to seek peaceful relations, even as he faced accusations from Beijing of pushing for independence. China interpreted Lai’s speech as an incitement towards independence, which it claimed would endanger the safety of Taiwan's population by edging closer to war.

The ongoing tension between Taiwan and China highlights the fragile balance in the region, with Taiwan striving to maintain its sovereignty and democratic governance amid continuous threats and military maneuvers from China. As both sides navigate this contentious relationship, the international community watches closely, aware of the potential implications for regional and global stability.