Taipei [Taiwan], April 30 (ANI): Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense detected two sorties of Chinese military aircraft, five vessels and two official ships operating around its territorial waters as of 6 a.m. (local time) on Thursday. Both sorties entered Taiwan’s southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). The MND said on X, “2 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties entered Taiwan’s southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the MND detected 10 sorties of Chinese military aircraft, 11 vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan. Of the 10 sorties, nine crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. The MND posted: “10 sorties of PLA aircraft, 11 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 10 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, southwestern and eastern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded.”
China’s claim over Taiwan is rooted in historical, political and legal arguments. Beijing asserts Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a position reflected in national policy and domestic law. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, operating independently with its own government, military and economy. Its status remains a significant international debate involving sovereignty, self-determination and non-interference, according to the United Service Institution of India.
Historically, China’s claim traces to the Qing Dynasty’s annexation of Taiwan in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga, though Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan in 1895 after the First Sino-Japanese War; Japan ruled the island for 50 years. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese administration, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. In 1949, the Chinese Civil War led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on the mainland while the Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan, each asserting sovereignty over China. Taiwan has since functioned as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC. (ANI)
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