Taiwan's National Defense Ministry detected seven warships and seven official vessels from China around Taiwan between 6 a.m. yesterday (Saturday) and 6 a.m. today (Sunday).

The ministry added that in response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, warships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the activities of the People's Liberation Army, according to Taiwan News on Sunday.

Taiwan has detected Chinese military aircraft 43 times and ships 54 times so far this month.

Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray-zone tactics by gradually increasing the number of military aircraft and warships operating around Taiwan.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies defines gray-zone tactics as 'an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that is designed to achieve a state's security objectives without resorting to the direct and massive use of force.'