Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity near the island on Saturday, with 12 planes crossing the sensitive midline of the Taiwan Strait, a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended his visit to China.
The United States is Taiwan’s main international supporter and arms supplier, despite lacking formal diplomatic relations.
Blinken said he stressed the “critical importance” of maintaining peace and stability across the Strait during his time in China.
Democratically governed Taiwan faces increased military pressure from China, which considers the island its own territory.
The Taiwanese government rejects these claims.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said that as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday local time, it detected 22 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 fighters, 12 of which crossed the median line in northern and central Taiwan.
The line once served as an unofficial border between the two sides, which neither side crossed, but the Chinese air force now regularly sends planes there.
China says it does not recognize the existence of this line.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the planes were involved in “joint combat readiness patrols” with Chinese warships, adding that Taiwanese planes and ships responded “appropriately.” He did not give details.
China’s Defense Ministry did not respond to calls seeking comment outside of office hours on Saturday.
Taiwan’s armed forces are well-equipped and well-trained, but dwarfed by China’s, particularly the navy and air force, which respond to Chinese missions almost daily.
China considers Taiwan the most important issue in its relations with the United States, and Beijing has repeatedly asked Washington to end its arms sales to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te will take office on May 20 after winning the January election.
Beijing considers him a dangerous separatist and has rejected his repeated calls for talks.
Lai said Thursday that China should have the confidence to speak to Taiwan’s legally elected government.
Like outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, Lai says only the Taiwanese people can decide its future.
New York Post
