Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven warships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday.

The ministry stated that 26 of the 30 aircraft belonging to the People's Liberation Army crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait in the northern, central, southwestern and eastern parts of the country's air defense identification zone, according to Taiwan News on Friday.

In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, warships, and coastal missile systems to monitor the activities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, according to DPA.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has detected Chinese military aircraft 35 times and ships 23 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 naval vessels operating around Taiwan.

30 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 5 official ships operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 26 out of 30 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored... pic.twitter.com/YWQcMclw5H

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

The Central News Agency (CNA) reported last Friday that Taiwan President Lai Ching-te instructed relevant authorities to enhance maritime coordination, commercial communications, and drone surveillance capabilities following a drill simulating a Chinese blockade of Taiwan.

It is noted that Taiwan conducted military exercises on June 22 for five days in response to any Chinese attack.

China claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under Beijing's control. China regularly sends naval vessels and warplanes toward Taiwan in military maneuvers that have become more frequent in recent years, to the point of occurring almost daily.