Taiwan detects 37 Chinese aircraft near island
Taiwan’s defence ministry announced on Sunday that it had detected 37 Chinese military aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, near its airspace as tensions between the island and mainland China continue to escalate. The aircraft were tracked from 9:00 am local time (0100 GMT), with 35 of them reportedly crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a demarcation that has traditionally served as an unofficial boundary between the two sides.
The ministry stated that the detected Chinese aircraft proceeded into Taiwanese airspace en route to the Western Pacific Ocean. In response to this incursion, Taiwan’s military activated its defensive measures, deploying aircraft, naval vessels, and shore-based missile systems to monitor and counter any potential threats.
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This incident comes just a day after Taiwan reported the presence of 27 Chinese aircraft and six warships engaged in what it termed a “joint combat readiness patrol” around the island. These increased military activities are part of a broader strategy by China to exert pressure on Taiwan and reinforce its claims of sovereignty over the self-ruled territory.
China has ramped up its military presence and activities in the region in recent years, a trend that has been particularly evident since the escalation of tensions following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. The Chinese government maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and continues to express dissatisfaction with any moves towards Taiwanese independence.
Taiwan’s military has expressed concern over the growing frequency of these incursions. Last month, China conducted large-scale military drills in the vicinity of Taiwan, which were met with strong condemnation from both the Taiwanese government and its key ally, the United States. In these exercises, the Chinese military demonstrated its capabilities, including firing an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean during training flights.
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