Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported that 26 military aircraft and 7 warships belonging to China were detected around the island from yesterday evening until today morning.
According to the ministry’s statement, 14 of the 26 aircraft crossed the air and sea lines in the Taiwan Strait, which are supposed to limit the influence areas of the parties.
6 “SU-30”, 2 “J-10”, 6 “J-16” fighter jets flew behind the nominal “midline” in the Taiwan Strait.
It is observed that the flights and ship patrols continue, although their intensity has decreased after the announcement of the termination of the 3-day military exercise initiated by the Chinese army after Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen’s visits to Central America and the USA.
The Ministry reported yesterday that 35 military aircraft and 8 warships were detected around the island.
The Eastern Front Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, which is responsible for the region where Taiwan is located, announced on April 8 that it had started a joint military exercise with the participation of land, air, naval and rocket forces.
During the three-day exercise, 71 aircraft and 9 ships were seen on 8 April, 70 aircraft and 11 ships on 9 April, and 91 aircraft and 12 ships on 10 April.
Tsai’s visits
Tsai, the leader of Taiwan, which is in a sovereignty conflict with China, made unofficial visits to the USA on the grounds of “transit transit” before and after his visits to Central American countries Guatemala and Belize.
The Taiwan leader attended the meeting organized by the Hudson Institute in New York City on March 30, and met with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and the cross-party Congressional delegation in Simi Valley, California, on April 5.
The Beijing administration announced that it would impose sanctions on two organizations and their executives who mediated Tsai’s contacts while protesting the United States for his visit.
Since the visit of former US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, in August 2022, China has increased aircraft and ship patrols around Taiwan and regularized flights where it crosses the nominal middle line separating the Taiwan Strait.
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.