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For the first time in a long time, China has sent a significantly larger number of fighter jets into the airspace off the coast of Taiwan. In the past 24 hours, 32 aircraft and 5 ships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army have been spotted, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said in Taipei on Thursday morning (local time). Twenty fighter jets flew over the unofficial center line of the Taiwan-China Strait, which is only about 80 miles wide at its narrowest point (Taiwan Strait), and entered the island republic’s airspace surveillance area via the south and east. According to the ministry, the army responded to Chinese activities, including the deployment of aircraft and ships.
The Chinese military sends its planes into the airspace off the coast of Taiwan almost every day. The ruling Communist Party considers the island a breakaway province, even though an independent and democratically elected government has been in power in Taipei for decades. Beijing wants to unite Taiwan with the mainland and would be prepared to use military means to do so if this does not work peacefully.
A fatal boat accident raised tensions
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported significantly fewer fighter aircraft in recent weeks than at the beginning of this year. A similar number was discovered in 33 aircraft at the end of January. No official reason was given for the increase. However, the People’s Liberation Army regularly exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s armed forces are forced to continuously respond to violations of the air surveillance zone. Experts also see this as an attrition tactic by China.
Recently, it appears that the Chinese military has somewhat scaled back its activities, which were perceived as threatening gestures. However, the People’s Republic Coast Guard increasingly deployed ships near Taiwan’s mini-island Kinmen, which is just a few kilometers from the Chinese mainland. The reason for this was the death of several Chinese fishermen in the waters there, whose boat capsized when they tried to evade inspection, Taiwanese sources said. The incident in mid-February increased tensions between Taiwan and China. China’s state-run Global Times newspaper recently suggested that Beijing would continue to increase patrols in the area to “protect the people.” (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
