Taiwan Reports Largest Incursion of Chinese Aircraft in 2024

Taiwan's defense ministry reported on Friday that a record 17 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the past 24 hours. This marks the largest incursion by Chinese planes into Taiwan's ADIZ so far in 2024, amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

Why this matters: The increasing frequency and scale of Chinese incursions into Taiwan's airspace threaten to destabilize the region and challenge the international community's commitment to upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity. As tensions continue to escalate, the risk of miscalculation or accident increases, with potentially catastrophic consequences for global peace and security.

According to the ministry, a total of 22 Chinese aircraft, including fighters, bombers, early warning aircraft, and drones, were detected starting around 7 a.m. on Thursday. Thirteen of these aircraft entered Taiwan's "response" zone, although the exact location was not disclosed. Taiwan responded by sending its own aircraft and ships to monitor the Chinese planes.

The incursion comes just weeks before the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, whom China regards as a "dangerous separatist". Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. The Taiwan Strait's median line, which the Chinese aircraft crossed, has long served as an unofficial buffer between the two sides.

Under the administration of current Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, tensions between Beijing and Taipei have escalated, as she and her government reject China's claim to the island. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of "gray zone tactics" by operating more military aircraft and naval ships around Taiwan in an effort to wear down the island's defenses and force it to accept Beijing's rule.

The incident also comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and China have a long history of territorial disputes. On April 30, a water cannon incident damaged two Philippine vessels during a patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The United States and the Philippines are currently conducting joint military exercises, including near the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's defense ministry has reported Chinese military aircraft incursions 39 times and naval vessel incursions 21 times so far in May 2024. The country continues to monitor the situation closely using its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, deploying land-based air defense missile systems as needed. As tensions remain high, the world will be watching to see how the incoming Taiwanese administration handles the increasing pressure from Beijing.

Key Takeaways

• Taiwan reports 17 Chinese military aircraft crossed median line, entering Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
• This marks the largest incursion by Chinese planes into Taiwan's ADIZ in 2024, amid escalating tensions.
• Taiwan responded by sending own aircraft and ships to monitor Chinese planes, with 13 aircraft entering "response" zone.
• Incursion comes weeks before Taiwan's new president inauguration, whom China regards as a "dangerous separatist".
• Taiwan's defense ministry reports 39 Chinese military aircraft incursions and 21 naval vessel incursions in May 2024.