Taipei - Taiwan retaliates  as Chinese warplanes cross strait's median lineIn response to the breach of the sensitive median line in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan swiftly activated its aircraft, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems. Reports from Taiwan News state that 11 Chinese military aircraft and 10 naval ships were detected by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) during the period from 6 a.m. on Monday (Aug. 28) to 6 a.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 29).

Among the Chinese aircraft, a Harbin BZK-005 drone from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered the Taiwan Strait median line within the northeastern sector of Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). This drone proceeded to circle the island nation before crossing the median line once again, this time in the southwest corner of the ADIZ, as it returned towards China, according to information provided by the MND. Moreover, two Chengdu J-10 fighter aircraft ventured into the southwest area of the ADIZ.

Taiwan responded to these actions by mobilizing its own aircraft, naval units, and ground-based missile systems to monitor the activities of the PLA. Beijing has notably deployed a substantial number of military planes and naval vessels for operations near Taiwan this month alone, with figures reaching 362 aircraft and 194 ships.

Since September 2020, China has consistently utilized grey zone tactics, frequently sending its aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ. Throughout March, there have been 325 military aircraft and 101 naval vessels dispatched by China in the vicinity of Taiwan. The strategy of employing grey zone tactics involves a series of actions aimed at achieving security goals without resorting to direct and significant use of force.