The Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone is an air defense identification zone covering Taiwan and its surrounds. The zone has been subject to increased incursions by People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft in recent years. A "median line" exists within the Taiwan ADIZ, an unofficial demarcation between People's Republic of China (China) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) airspace. The Taiwan ADIZ includes a large portion of the Chinese mainland.
Incursions by the People's Liberation Army
Beginning in September 2020, the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan (MND) began reporting incursions by the People's Liberation Army across the median line into the Taiwan ADIZ.
During 2021, 972 sorties were flown by the PLA across the median line in the Taiwan ADIZ. This increased to 1,727 in 2022, with the most on any single day being on 5 August after the 2022 visit by Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, when 49 sorties were flown. On 26 December 2022, a record 71 PLA aircraft entered the ADIZ, including 43 that crossed the median line.
During 2023, the MND reported further incursions. After the United States approved a weapons sale to Taiwan in May 2023, the MND reported an increase in incursions.