Taiwan claimed this Monday to have detected 103 Chinese military aircraft near the island’s coast in the space of 24 hours, a new record, at a time when Beijing is intensifying its military activities in the region.
According to official data released by the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, this is the highest number of Chinese military aircraft since April 10, when the island detected 91 aircraft off the coast.
In a statement, the ministry also stated this Monday that it detected, in the 24 hours that ended at 06:00 (23:00 on Sunday in Lisbon) nine warships in the vicinity of Taiwan.
The statement highlights that 40 of the Chinese planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation area between China and Taiwan.
In response, Taiwan sent its own aircraft, ships and missile systems to respond to these activities, according to the military.
Two weeks ago, US and Canadian warships passed through the Taiwan Strait, challenging China’s territorial claims.
A week ago, Beijing sent a naval formation led by the aircraft carrier Shandong about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southeast of Taiwan. According to official Chinese organizations, the ships were carrying out simulation exercises against attacks launched by planes, submarines, warships and land means.
China and Taiwan have lived as two autonomous territories since 1949, when the former Chinese nationalist government took refuge on the island after its defeat in the civil war against the communists.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of Chinese territory and threatens forcible reunification if the island formally declares its independence.
In recent years, Beijing has begun sending ships and fighter jets almost daily near Taiwan.
Source: TSF
