Today, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected a significant number of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and PLAN vessels in close proximity to Taiwan. The ministry announced that at 6 am UTC, eight PLA aircraft and three PLAN vessels were identified, with one of the aircraft entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the southwest. In addition to the military aircraft and vessels, a Chinese surveillance balloon was also detected crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, before heading east and disappearing.

In response to these provocations, Taiwan's Armed Forces have been monitoring the situation and deploying appropriate forces to respond. The recent surge in the number of Chinese military aircraft and navy vessels in the Taiwan area has raised concerns about potential gray zone tactics being used by China. Gray zone tactics refer to efforts beyond steady-state deterrence that attempts to achieve security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force. With the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in January, Taiwan remains on high alert for various Chinese activities, both military and political.

The defence ministry has reported multiple instances of Chinese balloons traversing the Taiwan Strait and entering the island's sensitive airspace, possibly related to weather monitoring, influenced by seasonal winds. Despite the concerning military activity, Taiwan has committed to disclosing information if the Chinese balloons are identified for surveillance purposes.

However, the ministry highlighted the challenge of determining the intentions behind these activities, especially during the election period. As Taiwan remains vigilant, military operations have been heightened, with planes, naval ships, and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor and respond to the escalating Chinese presence in the region. Despite the aggressive military posturing from Beijing, Taiwan has reaffirmed its commitment to defending its sovereignty and protecting the interests of its citizens.