On December 11, 2024, the Chinese Communist Party announced the establishment of 7 air traffic control zones in the eastern region of China. The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China stated that from 6 a.m. on the 10th to 6 a.m. today (11th), a total of 53 aircraft, 11 ships, and 8 government vessels belonging to the Chinese Communist Party were detected continually operating in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait.
From the 9th to the 11th, the People’s Liberation Army opened 7 reserved zones in the airspace east of Zhejiang and Fujian in China. According to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, these 7 control zones are mainly located along the eastern coast of China, extending from the mouth of the Yangtze River to offshore areas of cities such as Taizhou, Wenzhou, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Shantou, with two areas adjacent to Kinmen and Matsu west of the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
During a regular press conference held on the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China highlighted that the Chinese Communist Party has set up a range that extends up to 1,000 kilometers, reaching into the Western Pacific, forming a force that can deter foreign military forces between the first and second island chains, intending to convey a message of “interiorization of the Taiwan Strait”.
As President of the Republic of China, Tsai Ing-wen embarked on a visit to three Pacific allies, foreign media reported that the Chinese Communist Party might conduct military exercises upon her return. The Chinese military has not yet commented on this, nor confirmed any ongoing exercises. It was noted that the Chinese Communist Party had not announced any military exercises, and the military is still in a routine training phase. However, the scale of military force used by the Chinese Communist Party and the extensive area of training are concerning to the Republic of China, as it raises questions about whether the Chinese military may transition from training to actual combat, impacting neighboring countries. The Republic of China must be prepared to respond accordingly.
Reuters reported that a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department stated that they are closely monitoring the military activities of the Chinese Communist Party near Taiwan. They called on the Chinese Communist Party to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could disrupt peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region. They emphasized that President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit should not be used as an excuse to exert military pressure.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China today announced the dynamics of Chinese Communist Party aircraft and vessels in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait. From 6 a.m. on the 10th to 6 a.m. today, a total of 53 aircraft (of which 23 crossed the median line into the northern, southwestern, and eastern airspace), 11 ships, and 8 government vessels were detected, amounting to 72 aircraft and vessels continually active around the Taiwan Strait. The military closely monitored and responded using aircraft, ships, and missile systems based on land.
Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China revealed a map indicating Chinese Communist Party activities in the airspace around the Taiwan Strait. On the 10th, from 7:21 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., 25 Chinese Communist Party aircraft including main and support fighters and drones were detected in the airspace in the north of Taiwan. Moreover, from 10:17 a.m. to 11:24 a.m., 3 main fighter aircraft and drones intruded over the median line in the northern airspace. Furthermore, from 10:42 a.m. to 6:02 p.m., 9 main fighter aircraft and drones (4 of which crossed the median line) were detected in the airspace near the Taiwan Strait. Also, from 7:44 a.m. to 6:58 p.m., 15 main and support fighters and drones were detected in the southwest airspace. Lastly, from 4:12 a.m. to 9:20 p.m., one Chinese Communist Party drone flew around the southwest, east, and north airspace of Taiwan.
On the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China published the dynamics of Chinese Communist Party aircraft and vessels from 6 a.m. on the 9th to 6 a.m. on the 10th. A total of 47 aircraft (of which 16 intruded over the median line disturbing the southwestern airspace), 12 ships, and 9 government vessels were detected, continuing to operate around the Taiwan Strait. The military utilized aircraft, ships, and missile systems based on land to closely monitor and respond.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China issued a press release today stating that the unilateral actions of the Chinese Communist Party had disrupted peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, heightening regional tensions, and interfering with normal international shipping and trade exchange. The Ministry strongly demanded that the Beijing authorities immediately cease military intimidation and all irrational behaviors jeopardizing regional peace and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region is a consensus of the international community. Given the continued high-level attention of the international community to the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, the Chinese Communist Party persistently escalates its military intimidation toward Taiwan, conducting large-scale military gatherings along the first island chain, introducing instability and risk factors to the region, causing disturbances to neighboring countries. It is clear that the Chinese Communist Party is a troublemaker that undermines peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The provocative actions of China against Taiwan and regional countries clearly violate the provisions of the United Nations Charter that prohibit any country from using force or threats to infringe on the territorial sovereignty of another country,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. The Ministry sternly demanded that China immediately cease its violations of international law and demonstrate the responsibility of a great power.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China stressed that Taiwan will fulfill its international responsibilities, respond calmly to China’s military threats, staunchly defend its sovereignty and national security, and uphold the front line of democracy and freedom. They also called upon global democratic partners to unite with Taiwan, jointly resist the expansion and aggression of authoritarian regimes, avoid repeated deliberate destruction of the status quo, uphold the rule-based international order, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
In response to the Chinese Communist Party’s recent deployment of a large number of warships and military aircraft in the first island chain region, and the dispatch of a significant number of military aircraft and vessels to harass Taiwan, the spokesperson for the President’s Office of the Republic of China, Kuo Ya-hui, stated that Beijing’s actions are a blatant disruption to the current security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, further injecting uncertainties for the international community. It was urged that the Chinese authorities should fulfill their obligations as regional members, immediately cease all provocative actions.
Kuo Ya-hui emphasized that the transit of the President of the Republic of China is a customary practice, and Taiwan’s normal international exchanges should not be seen as a provocation by China. Regarding China’s provocations, the military of the country is fully aware of the situation in the Taiwan Strait and is capable of effectively handling it to ensure national security, urging the public to rest assured.
The Taiwan Affairs Department of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) issued a statement on Facebook today, noting that the Chinese military has established 7 air traffic zones just across the sea from Taiwan in Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, and has sent Chinese vessels to operate in the vicinity of the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific, attempting to pressure Taiwan through military actions. The DPP strongly condemned China’s actions, emphasizing that the Taiwan Strait is not China’s internal sea and that China’s continuous verbal bullying and military intimidation towards Taiwan make it the biggest destabilizing factor in cross-strait relations.
The DPP Taiwan Affairs Department highlighted that President Tsai Ing-wen has publicly stated multiple times her stance on cross-strait policy, emphasizing adherence to the constitutional system of the Republic of China with “consistent goodwill and commitments.” However, the Chinese authorities have responded with escalated language bullying and military intimidation, showcasing ill intentions full of malice rather than any goodwill, which continuously damages cross-strait relations and hurts the feelings of the Taiwanese people.
The DPP Taiwan Affairs Department stated that President Tsai Ing-wen mentioned on the 6th that “China, holding its fist up, would gain no respect from any country by conducting more military exercises, sending more warships and planes to intimidate neighboring countries,” expressing hopes for China to return to the normal international track and cease any unilateral actions that bring unrest and regret. The DPP Taiwan Affairs Department demanded that China immediately stop its malicious military intimidation towards Taiwan.
On the 10th, the spokesperson for the Kuomintang (KMT), Yang Jijyu, commented on the reports of the People’s Liberation Army announcing the opening of 7 reserved zones in the airspace east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces from the 9th to the 11th, as well as foreign media reports of 90 Chinese military vessels around Taiwan. These reports signify a difference from the recent maneuvers and exercises near Taiwan by the Chinese military in recent years, and mainland China has not officially announced any exercises yet.
Yang Jiyu stressed that the government and national security-related agencies must vigilantly monitor Chinese military activities, assess threats to Taiwan’s security, and provide the public with accurate information in a cautious and realistic manner.
Furthermore, the Kuomintang spokesperson reiterated their opposition to the threats posed by Mainland China against Taiwan using military force, urging both sides of the strait to engage in dialogue rather than confrontation to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region.
Taiwan People’s Party issued a statement expressing strong condemnation for China’s escalation of military activities around the Taiwan Strait, attempting to encircle the first island chain and increase military pressure on Taiwan. The party condemned China’s actions as disruptive to regional stability, reiterating that the Taiwan Strait is by no means an internal sea of China. The party warned that China’s actions have not only weakened mutual trust across the strait but also harmed the welfare of both sides’ people, urging the government to enhance autonomous defense capabilities and continue efforts to safeguard public safety, and calling on the international community to jointly defend peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
In conclusion, the region remains in a state of tension as the Chinese Communist Party continues to militarize and assert control over the Taiwan Strait, causing concerns for regional stability and international relations. The Republic of China stands firm in defending its sovereignty and national security against provocations and threats, urging for diplomatic solutions and global support in upholding peace and stability in the region.