ANKARA 

Taiwan said Thursday that it tracked many Chinese military aircraft and naval ships around its territory over the past 48 hours.

The Ministry of National Defense said it tracked 29 sorties of Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels and two ships, the Central News Agency reported.

It added that 18 of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the island's northern and southwestern Air Defense Zone.

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval vessels and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Chinese activity.

There was no immediate reaction from Beijing to the statement.

Since September 2020, according to the ministry, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating around Taiwan.

A gray zone tactic is defined as an effort that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to a direct and sizable use of force.

China considers Taiwan as its breakaway province, whereas Taipei insists on its independence

*Writing by Aamir Latif