Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Wednesday accused China of launching satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), with the flight path crossing over Taiwan’s southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The launch, which took place earlier in the morning, marked another instance of heightened tensions between Taiwan and China, as military activity around the island continues to intensify.
In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Taiwan’s MND confirmed the satellite launch occurred at 9:09 a.m. local time (UTC+8), and that the trajectory of the satellites flew over the southwestern portion of Taiwan’s ADIZ towards the Western Pacific.
“The altitude is beyond the atmosphere, posing no threat,” the MND emphasized in the post, reassuring the public. “The ROC Armed Forces monitored the process and remain ready to respond,” the statement added, referencing Taiwan’s military forces as they closely observed the satellite launch.
China’s intensifying military presence
Alongside the satellite launch, China escalated its military activity near Taiwan on Wednesday. By 6 a.m. local time, Taiwan’s MND reported detecting 15 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels operating in the region. Of the 15 aircraft, 11 crossed the sensitive median line in the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwestern ADIZ, an area frequently intruded upon by Chinese forces in recent months.
In response to these incursions, Taiwan’s military scrambled countermeasures, deploying Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, naval vessels, and coastal missile systems. “We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly,” Taiwan’s MND noted in another post on X.
The median line, which once served as an unofficial boundary between Taiwan and China in the Taiwan Strait, has increasingly been violated by Chinese aircraft, signaling Beijing’s growing assertiveness. Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s ADIZ is not a new occurrence but has become more frequent as tensions between the two sides escalate.
Broader geopolitical tensions
The satellite launch and military activities are seen as part of a broader strategy by China to ramp up pressure on Taiwan. Beijing regards the self-governed island as a breakaway province, and has not ruled out using force to achieve reunification. Taiwan, however, has been governed independently since 1949 and rejects China’s claim of sovereignty, with most of its population opposing unification.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry has regularly reported on Chinese incursions into its airspace, emphasizing the island’s preparedness to defend itself if necessary. Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly warned that Taiwan will not be bullied by China’s military threats and has called for increased international support to safeguard the island’s democracy.
International naval movements
In addition to the heightened Chinese military activity, Taiwan also reported the transit of United States and Canadian naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait. On October 20, the two naval ships sailed from south to north through the strategically significant waterway separating Taiwan from mainland China.
In a statement, the MND assured that Taiwan’s armed forces had maintained “full control over the surrounding sea and airspace, with the situation remaining normal.” The presence of U.S. and Canadian vessels in the strait signals continued international support for Taiwan, with Washington and its allies consistently asserting their commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. These transits are typically interpreted as freedom of navigation operations, meant to challenge China’s claims over the Taiwan Strait and demonstrate support for Taiwan’s autonomy.
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Ongoing tensions
China’s aggressive military posture, including frequent air and naval incursions, has fueled concerns of a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing’s actions are widely viewed as part of a broader campaign to intimidate Taiwan and wear down its defenses, while also signaling to the international community that China’s claims over the island are non-negotiable.
Despite the growing tensions, Taiwan has consistently stated its readiness to defend itself while calling for peaceful dialogue. However, with the Chinese military steadily increasing its presence around the island and conducting frequent drills, the situation remains volatile.
In response to these provocations, Taiwan continues to strengthen its defense capabilities, bolstered by growing support from Western nations like the United States, which has supplied the island with arms and increased diplomatic backing. The Taiwan Relations Act, passed by the U.S. in 1979, commits Washington to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
While Wednesday’s satellite launch may not have posed an immediate threat, it is a reminder of the complex and fraught relationship between Taiwan and China, as well as the growing militarization of the region. As China intensifies its pressure, Taiwan finds itself navigating an increasingly precarious geopolitical landscape.
