China's Grey Zone Tactics continue as 10 military aircraft invade Taiwan's ADIZ

Continuing its offensive on island nation, China's 10 military aircraft inved southwest sector of Taiwan's air defence identification zone (IZ) once again on January 15, just one day after 11 incursions were detected, according to local media reports. Eight Shenyang J-16 fighter planes, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, and one Shaanxi Y-8 were among Chinese aircraft, according to Taiwan News that quoted  Ministry of National Defense.

According to Taiwanese military, Taiwan sent rio warnings, tasked aircraft, and deployed air defence missile systems to keep an eye on Chinese jets. It came after 11 Chinese planes flew into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (IZ) on Friday. Furr, on Wednesday, two Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's air defence identification zone (IZ).

Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of grey zone tactics by sending aircraft into Taiwan's IZ on a regular basis, with majority of incidents occurring in zone's southwest corner. According to MND, Chinese military jets entered IZ 961 times in 2021, for a total of 239 days. An IZ is a zone that extends beyond a country's airspace where approaching aircraft are asked to identify mselves by air traffic controllers.

China-Taiwan conflict

Despite fact that two sides have been ruled separately for more than seven deces, China claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy with almost 24 million inhabitants located off sourn coast of mainland China. Taiwan, on or hand, has resisted Chinese aggression by strengning strategic connections with democracies, especially United States, which Beijing has consistently opposed.

Analysts have previously cautioned that Beijing is growing anxious that Taiwan's ministration is moving island closer to a formal declaration of independence, and that Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen should avoid taking such moves, according to BBC. Tsai, on or hand, has stated repeatedly that Taiwan is alrey an independent state, obviating need for a formal declaration. island is self-governing, with its own constitution, military, and democratically elected officials.

(With inputs from agencies)

Image: AP