Beijing, Sep 22 (EFE).- Taiwan said Friday that it had detected 34 Chinese planes and seven warships around the island in recent hours, an increased figure as compared to the previous day.
Taiwanese soldiers maneuver during an anti-invasion drill inside a military base in Hsinchu county, Taiwan, 21 September 2023. EFE-EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO
As in earlier days, the Taiwanese armed forces “have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond (to) these activities,” the island’s defense ministry said on X.
On Monday, Taipei had reported a record number of incursions by the Chinese army, with 103 aircraft and nine ships.
The Taiwanese ministry added that 24 of the planes detected until 6 am on Friday crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered the north, southwest and southeast air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
Taiwan Strait’s median line is an unofficial boundary that both Taipei and Beijing had largely respected until last year, when Chinese planes began repeatedly crossing it.
Last week, the Taiwanese defense ministry reported incursions by around 200 planes and 50 warships amid escalated tensions that coincided with the recent passage of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong through waters east of Taiwan.
After Monday’s record incursions, the ministry denounced China’s “military harassment,” warned that its armed forces remain alert and prepared to face any contingency, and urged Beijing to “take responsibility and immediately stop such destructive unilateral actions.”
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, a territory it considers a “rebel province” since Kuomintang nationalists withdrew there in 1949 after losing the war against the communist army. EFE
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