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Taiwan Tracks 9 Chinese Warplanes, 8 Warships Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected nine Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels operating near the island, with six aircraft crossing the median line into its air defense identification zone. This follows similar incursions detected the previous day. A visiting European parliamentary delegation, including a Ukrainian lawmaker, urged Taiwan to significantly increase its defense spending to deter a potential invasion. The lawmakers drew parallels between Russia's justification for invading Ukraine and the cross-strait tensions.

Key Points: Taiwan Detects Chinese Military Aircraft, Naval Vessels Near Island

  • 9 Chinese aircraft detected
  • 8 naval vessels near Taiwan
  • 6 sorties crossed median line
  • European lawmakers urge defense boost
2 min read

Taiwan detects 9 Chinese aircraft, 8 naval vessels, 1 ship

Taiwan's defense ministry reports 9 PLA aircraft and 8 naval vessels near its territory, as European lawmakers urge increased defense spending.

"All those who say they want to protect you actually want to conquer you. - Serhii Soboliev"

Taipei, February 11

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of nine Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am on Wednesday.

Of the nine, six sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "9 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan detected the presence of four sorties of Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels. All four sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "4 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Today. 4 out of 4 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

Taiwan should prioritise reinforcing its own national defence to deter any possible invasion by China as cross-strait tensions continue to escalate, several European lawmakers said on Friday, according to a report by the Taipei Times.

At the conclusion of a six-day visit to Taiwan by an eight-member European parliamentary delegation, the lawmakers called on Taipei to remain alert and increase its defence spending. "All those who say they want to protect you actually want to conquer you," Ukrainian lawmaker Serhii Soboliev said when asked what lessons Taiwan could learn from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Soboliev described Kremlin as a "new fascist Nazi regime" that justified its aggression by claiming to defend "so-called Russian-speaking populations," mirroring how Nazi Germany once invoked the protection of ethnic Germans to legitimise its expansion, the Taipei Times reported.

"And what is the reality of this 'protection'? Destroyed citizens," he said. Soboliev urged Taiwan to stop third parties from transferring sensitive technologies to Russia and underlined the urgency of increasing defence spending. "Before the war, we even tried to reduce our defence budget to below 5 per cent. Now we spend more than 50 per cent," he was cited as saying in the Taipei Times report.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The comparison to Ukraine is chilling. Taiwan should absolutely heed the warning and strengthen its defenses. No one should have to live under the threat of invasion. The international community needs to be more vocal in support.
A
Arjun K
As an Indian, I understand the importance of territorial integrity. But this is sheer bullying. The "One China" policy is one thing, but daily military pressure is another. It only pushes Taiwan further away. Dialogue is the only way.
P
Priyanka N
The Ukrainian lawmaker's words are powerful. "All those who say they want to protect you actually want to conquer you." We've seen this playbook before. Taiwan must be *atmanirbhar* (self-reliant) in its defense, just like we are striving to be.
V
Vikram M
While the situation is tense, I hope our media reports this with balance. We have our own challenges with a powerful neighbor. We should advocate for peaceful resolution everywhere, without taking sides that could complicate our own position. Just my two paise.
K
Karthik V
The numbers are alarming - 9 aircraft, 8 vessels, plus an official ship. This isn't just a patrol; it's a coordinated show of force. The world cannot afford another major conflict. ASEAN and Quad nations need to push for de-escalation.

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