China dispatches 41 aircraft and warships to harass Taiwan, the Chinese military closely monitors and responds

A schematic diagram of the activities of the People's Liberation Army of the Communist Party of China entering the airspace surrounding the Taiwan Strait. (Courtesy of the Department of Defense)

[Reporter Fang Weili/Taipei Report] China continues to exert military pressure and gray zone harassment on Taiwan. The Ministry of National Defense announced today (13th) that since 6 a.m. yesterday (12th) to 6 a.m., it has detected 30 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships and 3 official ships, and has continued to operate around the Taiwan Strait. Among them, 23 military aircraft crossed the central line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the airspace of northern, central, southwest and eastern Taiwan, circling Taiwan and disrupting our surrounding sea and airspace.

According to a diagram released by the Ministry of National Defense, between 12:50 and 12:15 noon yesterday, two main fighter aircraft were detected entering the northern airspace. Between 6:30 a.m. and 8:40 p.m. yesterday, a total of 20 sorties of main and auxiliary fighter aircraft, drones and helicopters were dispatched in the western and surrounding airspace, 13 of which crossed the central line.

In addition, between 9:35 am and 6:40 pm yesterday, a total of 6 sorties of main and auxiliary fighters were detected entering the southwest airspace. Between 9:35 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. yesterday, two main fighter jets entered the eastern airspace.

In terms of maritime dynamics, a total of 8 ships and 3 official ships were detected and continued to operate in the waters surrounding Taiwan.

The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the national military uses mission aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems to closely monitor and respond.