In the statement of the Ministry, 10 of the aircraft, including “SU-30”, “J-10”, “J-11”, “H-6” and “AWACS” type aircraft, are considered to limit the influence areas of the parties in the Taiwan Strait. It was informed that it had crossed the sea line and that 4 warships were conducting joint communications patrols.
According to the statement, 24 aircraft and 4 ships were tracked by detection-tracking means; warplanes, navy ships and land-based missile systems were activated.
The ministry reported on June 9 that 37 military aircraft and 5 warships belonging to China were detected around the island.
It was noteworthy that the flights and ship patrols coincided with the week that Laura Rosenberger, President of the American Institute, which is the de facto embassy of the USA in Taiwan, visited the island.
Rosenberger, in a statement to the Taiwanese media at the beginning of the week, stated that the USA wants peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and that it will continue to sell weapons to support the self-defense of the Island.
Taiwan tensions between the US and China
The fact that the US maintains informal relations with Taiwan, which it does not recognize diplomatically, through high-level visits and arms deals, surpasses the reaction of China, which sees the island as part of its territory.
The previous US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022 caused a crisis between Washington and Beijing. After the visit, the Chinese army held military exercises that created an actual blockade around the island for 7 days.
After the visit, China increased the patrols of aircraft and ships around Taiwan and made regular flights that crossed the area declared by Taiwan as “Air Defense Identification Area (ADIZ)” and the “middle line”, which is supposed to limit the influence areas of the parties in the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese army held a three-day military exercise around the island, after Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen made a “transit visit” to the United States, following his visit to Central American countries Guatemala and Belize in early April, and meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.
Taiwan, which China defends as part of its territory, has enjoyed de facto independence since 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was founded. The separation that emerged after the civil war between mainland China and Taiwan still continues.
Beijing, emphasizing the principle of “One China”, opposes Taiwan’s establishing independent diplomatic relations with the countries of the world, its representation in the United Nations and other international organizations, and stipulates that the countries that recognize it should break diplomatic relations with Taiwan.