TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s defense ministry tracked 41 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships around the nation between 6 a.m. Friday (June 21) and the same time Saturday (June 22).

A total of 32 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense identification zone (ADIZ), according to the ministry.

As usual, the situation was monitored, combat patrol aircraft and naval vessels were despatched, and land-based air defense missile systems were deployed. So far in June, the ministry has detected 286 Chinese military aircraft and 177 naval or coast guard vessels.

Since September 2020, Beijing has increased its use of "gray zone tactics" by operating more military aircraft and naval ships around Taiwan. According to CSIS, gray zone tactics are “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force."