Twelve sorties of Chinese military aircraft, five vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan`s territorial waters were detected on Sunday, Taiwan`s Ministry of National Defence said.
As reported by news agency ANI, out of the 12, nine sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan`s northern and southwestern parts of the ADIZ.
While posting to social media handle X, the ministry said, “12 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) on May 10. 9 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan`s northern and southwestern parts of the ADIZ. The ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded.”
Earlier on Saturday, Taiwan`s Ministry of National Defence detected the presence of eight sorties of Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and two official ships around it, as per ANI.
Out of the 8, all the sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan`s central, southwestern and eastern part of the ADIZ.
Earlier, while taking it to social media platform X, the MND said, “8 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) on May 10. 8 out of 8 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan`s central, southwestern and eastern parts of the ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded.”
China affirms Taiwan as their part
China`s claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements.
Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its government, military, and economy. Taiwan`s status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India.
History of China and Taiwan
China`s claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty`s annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga.
However, Taiwan, which is indeed a separate country from China, remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan`s defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned under Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised.
In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People`s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC.
(With inputs from ANI)