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☆ Taiwan reports rise in Chinese military activity as U.S. election nears
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwanese Coast Guard personnel work on a vessel off the coast of Nangan Township, in the Matsu Islands on Oct. 15, 2024, a day after China conducted the "Joint Sword-2024B" military drills around Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry said on Sunday it had spotted 35 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and bombers, flying to the island's south on the way to exercises in the Pacific, a second day in a row it has reported such activities. China's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the missions, reported just days before Tuesday's U.S. presidential election. The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, and its arms sales to Taipei, including a $2 billion missile system announced last month, infuriate Beijing. Taiwan's defense ministry said that from 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Sunday it had detected 37 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters, nuclear-capable H-6 bombers and drones.

Organizations: Coast Guard, U.S, infuriate Locations: Nangan Township, Matsu, China, Taiwan, Pacific, Taipei, United States, infuriate Beijing

☆ China's warplanes have all but erased the dividing line in the Taiwan Strait, creating a dangerous new normal
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementChina's warplanes are pressuring Taiwan and have all but eliminated an important dividing line, with near-daily incursions creating a dangerous new normal. Since 2020, Taiwan has released regular, almost daily updates on incursions in its air defense identification zone by Chinese military aircraft. In 2021, the Chinese military flew 972 aircraft into Taiwan's ADIZ, and that number nearly doubled in 2022. "We've become desensitized to high numbers of the military aircraft flying across the median line of the Taiwan Strait," Shattuck told Business Insider. AdvertisementChinese incursions are tiring out Taiwan's forcesThe near-daily ADIZ incursions aren't just changing the status quo in the area; they're also exhausting Taiwan's military.

Persons: —, Thomas J, Shattuck, Benjamin Lewis, They're, Nancy Pelosi, We've, hasn't, Lai Ching, of National Defense Yen Teh, Lewis, Lai, Taiwan's, Amanda Hsiao, GAO Organizations: Service, Foreign, Research, deconfliction, Taiwan, Getty, CAP, People's Liberation Air Force, Taiwan's Military News Agency, Anadolu, Getty Images, People's Liberation Army, of National Defense, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, China, AFP, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's, Getty Images China, Taipei, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan's ADIZ, United States

☆ A record-breaking 153 Chinese warplanes flew around Taiwan in war games meant as a warning
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementA record number of Chinese military aircraft flew around Taiwan during large-scale war games on Monday, new data from the nation's defense ministry shows. The drills, called "Joint Sword-2024B," involved joint forces simulating surrounding Taiwan, blockading ports, striking targets, and executing assaults. A map from the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense shows the areas of Chinese aircraft operations around the main island of Taiwan. Taiwan's Ministry of DefenseEarlier Monday, Taiwan's defense ministry reported 125 Chinese aircraft sorties conducted by 72 aircraft, with 57 entering the de facto ADIZ. The Chinese military called the drills a "stern warning."

Persons: Taiwan's, —, Lai Ching, Li Xi, GREG BAKER Organizations: Service, Taiwan's Ministry of Defense, People's Liberation Army, Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, CAP, PLA Eastern Theater Command, Getty Images, Lai's Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, China, Taipei, AFP, Getty Images Beijing, Liaoning

☆ Video shows one of Taiwan's F-16s tracking a Chinese J-15 fighter jet with its sniper pod during war games
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A new video shows one of Taiwan's F-16 tracking a Chinese J-15 fighter jet. The "Joint Sword-2024B" drill involved a record number of Chinese aircraft, as well as warships. AdvertisementA new video from Taiwan's response to China's military exercises this week shows a Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighter jet through the sniper pod on an American-made F-16. In the footage, a Taiwanese F-16 uses its sniper pod surveillance system to track a Chinese J-15, presumably from the Chinese carrier that participated in the Chinese drills. Taipei rejects China's claims of sovereignty over it and has consistently worked to bolster Taiwan's military to deter and defend.

Persons: —, Lockheed Martin, URfScDhgdj — Ryan Chan 陳, China's, Lai Ching Organizations: Service, Military News Agency, Ministry of National Defense, Lockheed, China PLA Navy, CAP, Getty, People's Liberation Army, Independence Locations: Taiwan, Taiwanese, Russian, China, Shenyang, Liaoning, Taiwan Strait, Xinhua, People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Beijing, Taipei

☆ China wants Taiwan to make mistakes and is looking for excuses to trigger a blockade, Taiwan's navy commander says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

China has ramped up its military presence around Taiwan, the country's navy commander said. Adm. Tang Hua told The Economist that China wants it to make a mistake so it can justify a blockade. AdvertisementChina is trying to force Taiwan into making mistakes and is looking for excuses to trigger a blockade, according to Taiwan's navy commander. Adm. Tang Hua told The Economist that China is "slowly, but surely" ramping up its military presence around Taiwan and is ready to blockade Taiwan "at any time they want." "The PLA is trying to force Taiwan to make mistakes," he said, using the acronym for China's People's Liberation Army.

Persons: . Tang Hua, —, Adm . Tang Hua, Tang, Phil Davidson, Wellington Koo, Xi Jinping Organizations: Economist, China, Service, PLA, People's Liberation Army, American Enterprise Institute, Institute for, Institute for Economics, Peace, Lieber Institute for Law, Warfare, Financial Times Locations: China, Taiwan, Point, People's Republic of China

☆ A Japanese warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in decades, as tensions grow with China
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-26 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA Japanese destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time in decades, Japan's Yomiuri newspaper reported, citing Japanese government officials. Japan's foreign affairs ministry and New Zealand's defense ministry didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Related storiesIt's not the first time in recent weeks that international vessels have crossed the Taiwan Strait. During a press conference on Wednesday, China's foreign ministry said it was "highly vigilant on Japan's political intention behind this move." According to updates shared by Taiwan's defense ministry , China's aircraft, vessels, and ships now operate around Taiwan almost daily, sometimes crossing the median line in the strait and causing Taiwan to scramble its planes.

Persons: —, Fumio Kishida, Japan's, Yoshimasa Hayashi, didn't, Boris Pistorius, Lin Jian Organizations: Service, Yomiuri, Japan's, Defense Force, Business, - Defense Force, Kyoto, NHK, New, Australian Defense Force, German, Foreign Locations: Taiwan Strait, East, China, Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, South China, Australian

☆ Taiwan on alert over 'waves' of missile tests in north China
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Saturday it was monitoring "waves" of missile tests taking place in China's far northern region of Inner Mongolia and that its air defense forces were on alert. Taiwan's forces are continuously monitoring developments and the air defense forces are on alert, the ministry said, without giving details. China's defense ministry did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours. Taiwan operates powerful radar stations on some of the peaks of its central mountain range that can look far into China, according to security sources. China detests Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, calling him a "separatist", and has increased its military pressure including war games since his inauguration.

Persons: Nancy Pelosi, Lai Ching, Lai Organizations: Peoples, China's, Force, U.S . House, Taiwan Locations: Beijing, Peoples Republic of China, China's, Inner Mongolia, Taiwan, China, Taipei

☆ China is flexing its missile arsenal in a new simulation for a mass Taiwan attack as the US watches Beijing's Rocket Force closely
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewChina's Eastern Theater Command on Friday released a simulation video of its missile forces carrying out a mass attack on Taiwan, boasting its land, sea, and air launch capabilities. "Destroy the pillar of Taiwanese independence! Strike the base camp of Taiwanese independence! Related storiesBeijing's missile forces have developed rapidly in recent years, alarming US officials who are now scrutinizing its arsenals and assets. Taiwan, recognizing the Chinese missile threat, has been stocking up on US-manufactured Patriot missiles.

Persons: —, CapwDFZyds, They're, Lai Ching, Lai, Tsai Ing Organizations: Service, Command, Business, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Taiwan, Pentagon, Liberation Army Rocket Force, Eastern Theater Command, Patriot, Coast Guard, Navy, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Hualien, Kaohsiung, China, Beijing

☆ China's war drills around Taiwan enter Day 2. Here's what it means for cross-strait relations
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Members of Taiwan's military conduct routine exercises at Liaoluo Port in Kinmen on May 24, 2024. (Photo by I-HWA CHENG/AFP via Getty Images) I-hwa Cheng | Afp | Getty ImagesChina's latest military exercises around Taiwan risk escalating cross-strait tensions — but war remains unlikely, political observers say. Beijing warned that the two-day drills, which continued on Friday, were aimed at punishing the island's new President Lai Ching-te for his "hostility and provocations." The drills are "legitimate, timely and entirely necessary," as acts of "Taiwan independence" in any form "cannot be tolerated," it added. "This pretext for conducting military exercises not only does not contribute to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but also highlights its hegemonic nature," the ministry said.

Persons: HWA CHENG, Cheng, Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, China's, Lai —, Wang Yi, Nancy Pelosi's, Xi, Joe Biden, Gabriel Wildau Organizations: HWA, Getty, Afp, Xinhua, Atlantic, China's Ministry of National Defense, Liberation Army, PLA, Eastern, Command, U.S ., Fujian, Guard, U.S, APEC, Teneo Intelligence, Republicans Locations: Liaoluo, Kinmen, China, Taiwan, AFP, Beijing, Eurasia, Republic of China, People's Republic of China, United States, U.S

☆ China's military is surrounding Taiwan, sending its new president an unmistakable message
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Ella Sherman | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThe Chinese armed forces began conducting large-scale military exercises around Taiwan on Thursday, just days after the island's newly elected president Lai Ching-te took office. Taiwan's defense ministry posted a video condemning Chinese actions, as well as showing the various locations around it where Chinese forces are operating. The CCP’s military exercises, which highlight its hegemony mindset, have undermined regional peace and stability. An outdoor screen shows a news coverage of China's military drills around Taiwan, in Beijing on May 23, 2024. Taiwanese soldiers stand guard as flares are fired during a Taiwanese military live-fire drill, after Beijing increased its military exercises near Taiwan, in Pingtung, Taiwan, 6 September 2022.

Persons: —, Lai Ching, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Coast Guard, Navy, ROC Armed Forces, 國防部 Ministry of National Defense Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taiwan's

☆ Taiwan says Chinese planes crossed median line, China carries out landing drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan's defense ministry said on Friday it had detected a renewed incursion by Chinese military aircraft across the sensitive Taiwan Strait, as China reported its navy had carried out combat drills with landing craft. Taiwan's defense ministry said on Friday it had detected a renewed incursion by Chinese military aircraft across the sensitive Taiwan Strait, as China reported its navy had carried out combat drills with landing craft. The median line is used to serve as an unofficial border between the two sides, but Chinese military aircraft now regularly cross it. Taiwan said on Thursday that China had carried out a "joint combat readiness patrol" near the island for the second time in a week. China's defense ministry did not answer calls seeking comment on Friday, the country being in the middle of its Labor Day holiday.

Organizations: Labor, Eastern Theatre Command, Liberation Army Locations: Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Keelung

☆ Taiwan reports more Chinese balloons over Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A kid runs across the flag of Taiwan banner during the announcement of official results on January 13, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry said on Sunday it had detected eight Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait in the previous 24 hours, of which five flew across Taiwan, the second day in a row is has reported a large number of balloons. China's defense ministry did not answer calls seeking comment on Sunday. Both China and Taiwan are currently celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday, the most important festival in the Chinese-speaking world. Chinese warplanes operate daily in the Taiwan Strait and often cross its median line that previously served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides.

Persons: China's, Lai Ching, Lai Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, China, United States

☆ Beijing intensifies military pressure on Taiwan as U.S.-China talks resume
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

From 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday local time, China sent 33 military aircraft and six naval vessels toward Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. For example, at their meeting, Sullivan and Wang confirmed the plan to launch a collaborative U.S.-China "Counternarcotics Working Group" on Tuesday to address the fentanyl crisis. The contentious issue comes up at nearly every U.S.-China meeting, including the high-profile talks between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November. China's military pressure on Taiwan comes during what senior administration officials have called "a period of higher tension." Lai was China's least favorite candidate due to his support of maintaining Taiwan's status quo.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi, Sullivan, Wang, Mr, Lai Ching, Lai Organizations: U.S, Foreign, Taiwan's Defense Ministry, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S . Locations: Filoli, U.S ., California, Beijing, Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, U.S, United States, PRC, Bangkok

But the meeting failed to resolve any of their major differences, many of which have international implications. In a White House statement Saturday on the meeting, Sullivan stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown its displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by sending military planes and ships. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party largely campaigned on self-determination, social justice and a rejection of China’s threats. Sullivan highlighted that although Washington and Beijing are in competition, both sides have to “prevent it from veering into conflict or confrontation,” it added.

Persons: Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Wang, Joe Biden, ” Wang, Sullivan, Xi Jinping, Lai Ching Organizations: BEIJING, U.S . National, Democratic Progressive Party, U.S, China - Locations: Washington, Taiwan, Thai, China, U.S, Bangkok, Malta, Vienna, Taiwan Strait, Ukraine, East, North Korea, South China, Myanmar, Beijing

☆ Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail, Pentagon official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and a direct military invasion of the self-ruled island would be extremely difficult for Beijing to carry out successfully, senior Pentagon officials told Congress on Tuesday. China's military in recent years has stepped up activity around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. However, whether Xi would order taking Taiwan by force, either through military options like a blockade or an invasion is unclear. "I think it is an option but probably not a highly likely option, when you start looking at the military options - much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade," McGee told lawmakers. He added flatly: "There is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA invasion of Taiwan."

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Burns, Xi Jinping, Xi, Ely Ratner, Ratner, General Joseph McGee, McGee, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pentagon, CIA, Affairs, House Armed Services, People's Republic of China . Army, Pentagon's Joint Staff, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, People's Republic of China, China

☆ China launches drills in angry response to Taiwan vice president's trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. says it's closely monitoring China's drills around Taiwan after Beijing began three days of military exercises around the island. Greg Baker | AFP | Getty ImagesChina launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday as a "serious warning" to separatist forces in an angry but widely expected response to Vice President William Lai's visit to the United States, drawing condemnation from Taipei. Taiwan's government strongly condemned the drills, with the defense ministry saying it had the ability, determination, and confidence to ensure national security. "The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign country and has a legitimate and legal right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with friendly countries," it added in a statement, using the island's formal name. Taiwan's defense ministry released a short video of undated footage showing Taiwanese forces at sea, on city streets and across the countryside.

Persons: Greg Baker, William Lai's, Joseph Wu, Joe Biden Organizations: PLA Navy, Beijing, AFP, Getty Images China, Eastern Theatre Command, Mainland Affairs Council, U.S, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, China's, Fujian, U.S, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Beijing, Republic of China, South Korea, Japan

☆ U.S. announces Taiwan weapons package worth up to $345 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The United States unveiled a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to $345 million on Friday, a move likely to anger China even as the Biden administration declined to publicly provide details on the arms in the package. Congress authorized up to $1 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority weapons aid for Taiwan, which strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims, in the 2023 budget. Beijing has repeatedly demanded the United States, Taiwan's most important arms supplier, halt the sale of weapons to the island. Taiwan's defense ministry thanked the U.S. for its "firm security commitment," adding in a statement it will not comment on the package details due to the "tacit agreement" between the two sides. Taiwan had previously agreed to purchase four, more advanced, MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, made by General Atomics, which are slated for delivery in 2025.

Persons: Biden, General Atomics Organizations: United, Reuters, U.S . Air Force Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Beijing

☆ Taiwan scrambles fighter jets after 10 Chinese warplanes fly across the sensitive median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan deployed fighter jets after 10 Chinese planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Earlier this week, 37 Chinese military planes also flew into Taiwan's air-defense system. This is not the first instance of Chinese military activity around Taiwan this week. Reuters reported that 37 Chinese military planes flew into Taiwan's air-defense system before some headed to the western Pacific. China views Taiwan as part of its own territory, claiming that it is a breakaway province.

Persons: —, USS Chung, Xi Jinping Organizations: Service, People's Liberation Army Navy, Reuters, US, Fleet, 052D, Suzhou, Pacific Command, USS Locations: Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, American, China, Pacific

☆ Taiwan reports Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through strait
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A ship sails in the Taiwan Strait, as seen from Pingtan island, the closest point to Taiwan, in China's southeast Fujian province on April 8, 2023. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Saturday accompanied by two other ships, Taiwan's defense ministry said, in the latest uptick in military tensions over the island Beijing claims as its own territory. Taiwan's military closely monitored the group using its own ships and aircraft and "responded appropriately", the ministry said in a short statement. The Shandong participated in Chinese military drills around Taiwan last month, operating in the western Pacific. In March of last year, the Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait, just hours before the Chinese and U.S. presidents were due to talk.

☆ There is 'no situation' where Taiwan can defend itself against China the way Ukraine has fought against Russia, says APAC security expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan can't fight off China alone, even if it gets NATO weapons, said an APAC security expert. There's "no situation" where Taiwan can pull off its own defense like Ukraine has, she said. Taipei's game plan will rely on holding out so the US can arrive, she told The Washington Post. "Taiwan has to be able to hold out long enough for the United States to get enough forces in theater," Mastro told the outlet. And US forces would be significantly delayed if war does break out over the Taiwan Strait, she added.

☆ Almost half of Taiwan's aircraft isn't ready for war, and its air force doesn't have a coordinated radio network to stave off a Chinese invasion: Pentagon leak
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China is likely to swiftly gain air superiority in Taiwan if it goes to war, per Pentagon leaks. Pentagon assessments seen by The Washington Post present a bleak outlook for Taiwan's air force. The leaked documents seen by The Washington Post say barely more than half of Taiwan's aircraft is fully ready for combat missions, and that Taiwan's own officials doubt their air defenses can "accurately detect missile launches." Additionally, the island's air force is trained to shoot at single, stationary targets, per the intelligence seen by The Post. The leaked intelligence comes as US-China relations sour and as lawmakers in Washington signal closer ties to Taipei.

☆ Photo catches Taiwan pilot with a patch of Winnie the Pooh getting punched in the face — a jab at China's Xi as Beijing ups the pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Amid this, Taiwan's defense ministry published a photo of a patch worn by fighter pilots. The patch depicts a cartoon Winnie the Pooh getting punched by a bear — a dig at Xi Jinping. Her visit stoked ire in Beijing, with China's defense ministry calling it "provocative." Beijing's defense ministry said the war games — dubbed "Joint Sword" — are meant to be a "stern warning" to Taiwan, which sharply criticized the exercises. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities," Taiwan's defense ministry wrote in a statement posted to social media.

☆ China starts drills around Taiwan after U.S. Speaker meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen at an event with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on April 5, 2023. China began three days of military exercises around Taiwan on Saturday to express anger at Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the island's defense ministry said it would respond calmly. The drills, announced the day after Tsai returned from the United States, had been widely expected after China condemned the meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. China was using Tsai's U.S. visit "as an excuse to carry out military exercises, which has seriously damaged regional peace, stability and security," the ministry said in a statement.

☆ Taiwan reports second day of large Chinese incursion into its air defense zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Chinese military jet flies over Pingtan island, one of mainland China's closest points to Taiwan, on August 5, 2022. Taiwan reported on Thursday a second day of large-scale Chinese air force incursions into its air defense identification zone, with its defense ministry saying that over 24 hours it had spotted 21 aircraft, amid Beijing's military pressure campaign. Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has complained for the past three years or so of stepped-up Chinese military activities near the island as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims. Taiwan's defense ministry said the aircraft, 17 J-10 fighters and four J-16 fighters, had flown into the southwestern corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone, according to a map the ministry released. The lightly defended Pratas are strategically located at the top of the South China Sea, and many of China's fly-bys happen nearby.

☆ U.S. warship sails through sensitive Taiwan Strait
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Hugh Gentry/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A U.S. warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, part of what the U.S. military calls routine activity but which riles China. "Chung-Hoon’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the statement added. The narrow Taiwan Strait has been a frequent source of military tension since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists, who established the People's Republic of China. The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. The close encounter followed what the United States has called a recent trend of increasingly dangerous behavior by Chinese military aircraft.

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