China Launches Largest Incursion Yet Into Taiwan’s Air Defense Zone

China launched its largest incursion to date into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Sunday. 71 Chinese military aircraft entered the ADIZ in a span of 24 hours, 43 of them also crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, the unofficial border between the mainland People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the island-based Republic of China (ROC).

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said seven surface vessels from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were also detected near Taiwan.

Today, 71 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships were found in the region around Taiwan at 6 a.m. (UTC+8). R.O.C. R.O.C. pic.twitter.com/DagRhnN69F

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 26, 2022

Taiwan claimed that the PLA aircraft consisted of top-ofthe-line fighters, bombers, antisubmarine, electronic warfare and support planes. PLA released Chinese state media photos suggest that at least one H-6 bomber capable of dropping nuclear weapons and a Type 052C guided-missile destroyer were involved in this exercise.

The ADIZ is a buffer zone of carefully-monitored airspace that surrounds a country’s secure national airspace. Penetrating Taiwan’s ADIZ, especially with so many military aircraft, is considered provocative but not an act of war. 

China is even more provocative crossing The Taiwan Strait’s median line, also known as “the”, is also called the “Davis Line” American Brig. Gen. Benjamin Davis. The median line, while not officially recognized, has long been considered a boundary. “do not cross” Both China and Taiwan provide safety buffers 

China has been penetrating Taiwan’s ADIZ and crossing the Davis Line with increasing frequency since 2020. More than 1,700 incursions were made perpetrated The PLA saw an increase of 5% in the past year.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases