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☆ Taiwan warns of 'sharp increase' in tensions as Chinese planes cross median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry warned on Tuesday of a possible "sharp increase" in military tensions after reporting renewed Chinese military activity including fighter jets crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait. The ministry said that on Tuesday morning it spotted 12 Chinese military aircraft in its air defence identification zone, of which seven crossed the median line - six J-10 fighters and a single drone. The median line had for years served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, until China's air force began regularly crossing it a year ago. Taipei city councillors for Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party issued a joint statement saying Chiang should "speak for the Taiwanese people" and demand an end to China's military activities.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Chiang Wan, Chiang, Ben Blanchard, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Communist, Kuomintang, Democratic Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Shanghai

☆ Taiwan warns of surge in tensions as Chinese planes cross median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Airplane is seen in front of Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration, August 6, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry warned on Tuesday of a possible "sharp increase" in military tensions after reporting renewed Chinese military activity including fighter jets crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait. The ministry said that on Tuesday morning, it spotted 12 Chinese military aircraft in its air defence identification zone, of which seven crossed the median line - six J-10 fighters and a single drone. The median line had for years served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, until China's air force began regularly crossing it a year ago. Taipei city councillors for Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party issued a joint statement saying Chiang should "speak for the Taiwanese people" and demand an end to China's military activities.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Chiang Wan, Chiang, Ben Blanchard, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Simon Cameron, Moore, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Communist, Kuomintang, Democratic Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Shanghai

☆ Taiwan reports renewed Chinese military activity, planes in 'response' zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry reported renewed Chinese military activity around the island on Friday, including 13 aircraft entering Taiwan's "response" zone and five ships carrying out combat readiness patrols. Taiwan does not publicise where its "response" zone is, but it keeps closest watch on the Taiwan Strait, and the area to the island's south and southwest where Chinese military activity often is concentrated. The ministry, in a separate statement on Friday morning, said that during the previous 24 hours it had spotted two Chinese drones near northern Taiwan. Both crossed the strait's median line, it said, which had until last year served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides but which Chinese aircraft now routinely cross. Taiwan has not reported any Chinese military aircraft in its territorial air space, though has said planes have come close to island's contiguous zone, which is 24 nautical miles (44 km) off its coast.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Lai, Ben Blanchard, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States, Taiwan Strait

REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan will spend an extra T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) to buy weapons next year including fighter jets to bolster its defences against China, the government said on Thursday, and will get a further boost from new F-16 fighter jet tracking systems. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen already announced on Monday that overall proposed defence spending for 2024 would be set at T$606.8 billion, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The United States on Wednesday approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment. China, which routinely denounces any foreign arms sales to Taiwan, urged the United States to immediately cancel the planned sale, its foreign ministry said. Tsai has overseen a military modernisation programme to make the armed forces better able to face China, including upgrading a fleet of F-16 fighter jets and developing submarines.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, Po, huei, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Andrew Hayley, Christopher Cushing, Miral Organizations: Taiwan's Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Democratic Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taipei, United States, United, Beijing

☆ Taiwan proposes extra $3 bln spending on new weapons next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a loitering munition UAV on display as Taiwan's Defence Ministry showcases its domestically developed drones to the media, in Taichung, Taiwan March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan will spend an extra T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) to buy weapons next year including fighter jets, the government said on Thursday as the island bolsters its defences in the face of rising threats from China. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen already announced on Monday that overall proposed defence spending for 2024 would be set at T$606.8 billion, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Defence spending for next year will amount to 2.5% of Taiwan's GDP. ($1 = 31.7490 Taiwan dollars)Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Faith Hung; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Christopher Cushing, Miral Organizations: Taiwan's Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive Party, Defence, U.S . State Department, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taipei

☆ US trip pays off for Taiwan VP with China drills more 'thunder than rain'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China has a particular dislike of Lai, the frontrunner in polls ahead of January's presidential election, due to his previous comments about being a "worker for Taiwan independence". In his public events he talked about peace and dialogue, though he also said that Taiwan would not back down in the face of threats. "These drills were a lot of thunder, but less rain." 'NO SURPRISES'Lo Chih-cheng, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said Lai's trip was also about the broader process of showing him to the United States as a steady and trustworthy leader. China could take other, trade-related, steps to punish Taiwan, having previously stopped Taiwanese fruit and fish imports.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Ma Chen, Shen Dingli, Lai Ching, Lo Chih, cheng, Lo, Ko Wen, Xi Jinping, Ben Blanchard, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan, U.S, Liberation Army, National Defence University, United States, Relations, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwanese Public, National Taiwan Normal University's Graduate, of Political, Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, U.S, United, Shanghai, Taipei, Beijing, Washington, Asia

☆ Taiwan details China drills, VP says election not China's to call
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai waves at Taoyuan International Airport following his trip to the United States and Paraguay, in Taoyuan, Taiwan August 18, 2023. "My position is that Taiwan is not a part of the People's Republic of China. China has demanded that Taiwan's government accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", but it has refused. LOWER-KEY DRILLSChina's Saturday drills were much more low-key than two rounds of war games around Taiwan last August and again in April this year. Taiwan's military also released pictures of one of its fighter jets taking off and a pilot checking a missile underneath an aircraft.

Persons: William Lai, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Lai, Su, It's, That's, Taiwan's, Alexander Neill, Neill, lambasting Lai, Tian Dan, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, James Pomfret, William Mallard, Kim Coghill, Edmund Klamann Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Democratic Progressive Party, APEC, Hawaii's, Eastern Theatre Command, Sunday, Taiwan, State Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: United States, Paraguay, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, New York, People's Republic of China, San Francisco, Singapore, U.S, Hong Kong

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the strong objections of the island's government. "This is a serious warning against Taiwan independence separatist forces colluding with external forces to provoke," it said. China has a particular dislike of Lai for his previous comments that he was a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". The United States, like most countries, has no formal ties with Taiwan but is its strongest international backer, bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. China has over the past three years ramped up military pressure on Taiwan, including sending military aircraft and warships near the island.

Persons: William Lai, Nancy Pelosi, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Casey Hall, Ben Blanchard, Greg Torode, William Mallard Organizations: Joint Staff Office, Defense Ministry of Japan, Reuters, Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . House, U.S, Beijing, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Okinawa, Miyako, SHANGHAI, TAIPEI, Taiwan, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Taipei, California, South, Asuncion

☆ China military action to US stopover would be election interference, Taiwan VP says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan's Vice President William Lai speaks during a welcome dinner in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this handout picture released on August 15, 2023. Taiwanese officials say China could launch military drills this week, using Lai's stopovers in the United States as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of an election next year and make them "fear war". China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has an particular dislike of Lai who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". China considers Taiwan to be its most sensitive and important political and diplomatic issue, and it is a constant source of Sino-U.S. friction. China says Taiwan has no right to state-to-state ties and has been trying to pick off Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies.

Persons: William Lai, Lai, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Lai's, Li Shangfu, Deb Haaland, King Felipe VI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Taipei's, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Taiwan Presidential, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Taiwan, Central News Agency, U.S, Chinese Defence, Thomson Locations: Asuncion , Paraguay, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, U.S, China, Paraguay, United States, January's, New York, California, Central America, York, San Francisco, Taipei, Moscow, Asuncion, Honduras, Beijing

☆ Taiwan sees no Chinese military response to VP's US trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Yimou Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File PhotoTAIPEI, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it has not seen large-scale exercises or any other action by the Chinese military near the island after China condemned a brief U.S. visit by Taiwan Vice President William Lai. When asked at a press conference about Chinese military activity in response to Lai's trip, defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang, said it was the responsibility of the armed forces to track any Chinese activities near Taiwan. However, Taiwan had not seen any "relatively large-scale" drills or actions by China's military, he said. Beijing has launched almost daily military incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone in recent years seeking to pressure Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty. Both Taiwan and the United States are aiming for Lai's U.S. stop-overs to be as low-key as possible, saying that such transits are routine.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Lai, Lai, Sun Li, Sun, Su, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Taiwan Premier Chen Chien, jen, Chen, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Taiwan, Lai's U.S, U.S, Chinese Communist Party, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, China, U.S, William Lai . China, Paraguay, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei, San Francisco, California, United States, New York, Taiwan Premier, Lai's

☆ Taiwan reports second large-scale China air force incursion this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoTAIPEI, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Ten Chinese air force aircraft entered Taiwan's air defence zone on Wednesday accompanying five Chinese warships engaged in "combat readiness" patrols, the island's defence ministry said, the second such incursion this week. Those aircraft were acting in coordination with five Chinese warships engaging in "combat readiness" patrols, it said. China staged war games around Taiwan in April after President Tsai Ing-wen returned home from a visit to the United States where she met U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Taiwan Vice President William Lai leaves for the United States this week on his way to Paraguay on what is officially only a transit but which has angered China. It was China's "priority" to stop Lai from visiting the United States, Beijing's ambassador to the U.S. said last month.

Persons: Aly, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Nancy Pelosi, William Lai, Lai, Taiwan's, Ben Blanchard Organizations: Liberation Army, PLA, REUTERS, U.S, Taiwan, Thomson Locations: China's, Taiwan, Pingtan, Fujian province, China, TAIPEI, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, United States, Taipei, Paraguay

☆ North Korea denounces US arms aid to Taiwan as 'dangerous' provocation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Soo-Hyang Choi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File PhotoSEOUL, Aug 4 (Reuters) - North Korea on Friday criticised a U.S. weapons aid package to Taiwan, state media reported on Friday, accusing the United States of driving tensions in the region to "another ignition point of war". The United States unveiled an aid package for Taiwan worth up to $345 million on Friday as Congress authorised up to $1 billion worth of weapons for the island as a part of the 2023 budget. Taiwan rejects China's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met a Chinese delegation in Pyongyang last week and vowed to develop the two countries' relations to a "new high".

Persons: Edgar Su, Kim Jong Un, Soo, hyang Choi, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, REUTERS, United, U.S, Thomson Locations: Korea, North Korean, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, SEOUL, North Korea, U.S, Taiwan, United States, Yong, China, Beijing, Washington, Taipei, Asia, Pacific, Pyongyang

☆ China complains to US about 'dangerous' weapons aid to Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Aug 1 (Reuters) - China said on Tuesday it has complained to the United States about a weapons aid package to Taiwan, urging Washington to refrain from going further down a "wrong and dangerous" path. The U.S. unveiled an aid package for Taiwan worth up to $345 million on Friday as Congress authorised up to $1 billion worth of weapons aid for the island as a part of the 2023 budget. A spokesperson for China's defence ministry, Tan Kefei, said the U.S. must stop all forms of "military collusion" with Taiwan. The top U.S. general said in July it and allies should speed up weapons delivery to Taiwan in coming years to help the island defend itself. China's People's Liberation Army is paying close attention to the situation in the Taiwan Strait and is always on high alert, Tan said.

Persons: Tan Kefei, Tan, China's, Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel Organizations: Army, Beijing, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, United States, Taiwan, Washington, U.S, Beijing, Taipei

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - 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. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has increased military pressure on the island over the past three years. Earlier this month, the top U.S. general said the United States and its allies need to speed up the delivery of weapons to Taiwan in the coming years to help the island defend itself.

Persons: Biden, General Atomics, Defense Lloyd Austin, Mike Stone, Idrees Ali, Jasper Ward, Dan Whitcomb, Yimou Lee, Richard Chang, Muralikumar Organizations: United, Reuters, U.S . Air Force, Defense, Presidential, Authority, Thomson Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Ukraine

☆ Taiwan cancels military drills as typhoon approaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, July 25 (Reuters) - Taiwan cancelled parts of its annual military drills on Tuesday as authorities step up preparations for what they say could be the most damaging typhoon to hit the island in nearly four years. Typhoons are common at this time of year near Taiwan but the subtropical island has not been directly hit by a typhoon since 2019, prompting officials to urge vigilance. Taiwan's weather bureau has issued sea warnings and said it will issue land warnings for its southern counties later on Tuesday, urging residents there to prepare for heavy rains and strong winds. "I'd like to remind citizens not to underestimate the typhoon threats." Reporting by Yimou Lee; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Doksuri, Han Kuang, Chen Chien, jen, Yimou Lee, Stephen Coates Organizations: Typhoons, Tropical, Facebook, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Philippines, China, Kaohsiung, Palau

REUTERS/Jason Lee/File PhotoTAIPEI, July 14 (Reuters) - China's military has been flexing its muscles this week around Taiwan practicing joint force operations far out at sea, ahead of Taipei holding its annual war games at the end of the month when Taiwan will simulate breaking a Chinese blockade. Chieh Chung, a military researcher at Taiwan's National Policy Foundation think tank, said practicing long-distance missions was important for China as they would be the "main combat mode" in any conflict. "They are expanding military deterrence actions to create a cognitive effect that Taiwan's national defences are useless," the official said. China routinely denounces U.S. military activity in the strait as provocation. "The Eastern Theatre Command are well seasoned, but it's the Southern Theatre Command that needs training for long-distance support," Su said.

Persons: Jason Lee, Chieh Chung, Han Kuang, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, Xi Jinping, Su Tzu, yun, Su, Yimou Lee, Roger Tung, Yew Lun Tian, Ben Blanchard, Robert Birsel Organizations: Chinese Air Force, REUTERS, Foundation, Taiwan, House, Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . Navy, Institute for National Defence and Security Research, Southern Theatre Command, Thomson Locations: Beijing, TAIPEI, Taiwan, Taipei, China, Philippines, Japan, Borneo, Los Angeles

☆ U.S. Navy plane flies through Taiwan Strait after Chinese drills
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, July 13 (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy patrol plane flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, following two days of Chinese military exercises to the south of the island Beijing views as sovereign Chinese territory. "By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," it said in a statement. "The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows." The mission followed two days of new Chinese drills near Taiwan, involving fighters, bombers and warships flying mainly to the island's south and out into the Pacific through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines.

Persons: Ben Blanchard, Alex Richardson Organizations: U.S . Navy, U.s, United, Taiwan, NATO, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Beijing, China, United States, Navy's, Pacific, Philippines

☆ Taiwan says 8 Chinese aircraft crossed Taiwan Strait median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI, July 4 (Reuters) - Eight Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday morning, Taiwan's defence ministry said, as China ramps up military pressure on the democratic island. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory despite the island's strong objections, has faced in recent years almost daily missions by Chinese military aircraft, often in the southwestern part of the island's air defence identification zone. A total of 24 Chinese warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, were spotted near Taiwan on Tuesday morning starting at about 8 a.m. (0000 GMT), the defence ministry said, adding four Chinese warships also joined a "joint combat readiness patrol". Taiwan sent aircraft and ships to warn away the Chinese, while missile systems monitored them, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response. In a statement, the ministry said it is the joint responsibility for all parties in the region to maintain safety and stability.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Taiwan's, Yimou Lee, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Tuesday, U.S . House, Representatives, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, China, Taiwan

☆ Japan says Russian warships spotted near Taiwan, Okinawa islands
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, July 1 (Reuters) - Japan's defence ministry said late on Friday it had spotted two Russian Navy ships in the waters near Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa islands in the previous four days, following a similar announcement this week from Taiwan. Taiwan's defence ministry said on Tuesday it had spotted two Russian frigates off its eastern coast and send aircraft and ships to keep watch. Japan's government said last month that repeated Russian military activity near Japanese territory, including joint drills with Chinese forces, posed "serious concern" for Japan's national security. The Japanese ministry said two Steregushchy-class frigates were first spotted 70 km (40 miles) southwest of Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni, in Okinawa prefecture neat Taiwan, on Tuesday morning. The vessels sailed back and forth through the waters between Yonaguni and Taiwan, moved eastward and were last spotted on Friday in the waters between Miyako and Okinawa islands, it said, adding Japan dispatched two vessels to monitor the Russian ships.

Persons: Kantaro Komiya, William Mallard Organizations: Russian Navy, United, Russian Pacific Fleet, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Japan's, Yonaguni, Miyako, Russian, Philippine

☆ Taiwan says 11 Chinese aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, June 30 (Reuters) - Eleven Chinese aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait on Friday morning, an unofficial barrier between the two sides, Taiwan's defence ministry said, as China ramps up military pressure on the democratic island. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory despite the island's objections, has complained in recent years of almost daily missions by the Chinese air force, often in the southwestern part of its air defence identification zone. A total of 24 Chinese war planes including fighter jets and bombers were spotted near Taiwan on Friday morning from around 8 a.m. (00:00 GMT), the defence ministry said, adding five Chinese battleships also joined a "joint war readiness patrol." Taiwan sent aircraft and ships to warn away the Chinese activities, while missile systems monitored them, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response. Taiwan's government strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and vows to defend itself if China attacks the island.

Persons: Mike Rogers, Tsai Ing, Taiwan's, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Reuters, U.S, Armed, U.S . House, Representatives, The U.S . State Department, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan Strait, China, Taiwan, Taipei, The, Lincoln

☆ Taiwan says Chinese air force approached close to island's coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

China's air force over the past three years has routinely flown into the air space around Taiwan. Since August it has regularly sent jets across the strait's median line, which had previously served as an unofficial barrier. In March, Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng warned that the island had to be on alert this year for a "sudden entry" by the Chinese military into areas close to its territory. Taiwan defines its contiguous zone as being 24 nautical miles from its coast. Eight of those crossed the median line and "got close" to the 24 nautical mile mark, it said.

Persons: Chiu Kuo, cheng, Ben Blanchard, Jacqueline Wong, Tom Hogue, William Mallard Organizations: Taiwan Defence, Eastern Theatre Command, U.S . Navy, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Beijing, China, U.S

☆ US combat ship to make rare port call in Vietnam amid South China Sea tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The visit of the USS Ronald Reagan is only the third for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the end of the Vietnam War. The USS Theodore Roosevelt stopped in Vietnam in 2020 to mark 25 years since the Vietnam War ended in 1975. This year Washington is seeking to upgrade its formal ties with Vietnam, amid Hanoi's frequent disputes with Beijing over boundaries in the South China Sea. China claims the waters almost in their entirety, including the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam and other countries in the region. On Wednesday, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and a group of escorting vessels sailed south through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's defence ministry said.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, Francesco Guarascio Organizations: U.S, aircraft, Thomson Locations: HANOI, Central Vietnam's, Danang, U.S, Beijing, South China, Vietnam, Washington, China, Shandong, Taiwan

☆ Taiwan civil defence handbook includes tips on identifying Chinese soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] All-Out Defence Mobilization Agency Director Shen Wei-chih poses with a printout of the newest version of Civil Defence Handbook after a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Angie TeoTAIPEI, June 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's military released an updated civil defence handbook on Tuesday that for the first time includes a section on how to tell the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese soldiers based on their uniforms, camouflage and insignia. One of the changes includes illustrations of Taiwanese service personnel and "enemy soldiers" wearing Chinese military uniforms. The Taiwanese soldiers are shown smiling, whereas the Chinese ones have downturned mouths and a severe expression. It's actually quite hard to distinguish them," All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency Director Shen Wei-chih told reporters at the defence ministry.

Persons: Shen Wei, chih, Angie Teo TAIPEI, Shen, Angie Teo, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defence, Agency, Civil, REUTERS, Army, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine, Russia, China

☆ Taiwan sends up fighters as Chinese warplanes cross strait's median line
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TAIPEI, June 11 (Reuters) - Taiwan's air force scrambled into action on Sunday after spotting 10 Chinese warplanes crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, as the island's defence ministry said four Chinese warships also carried out combat patrols. In a short statement, Taiwan's defence ministry said that as of 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Sunday it had detected 24 Chinese air force planes, including J-10, J-11, J-16 and Su-30 fighters, as well as H-6 bombers. It did not specify where the aircraft flew but said 10 had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which separates the two sides and had previously served as an unofficial barrier. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In April, China held war games around Taiwan following a trip to the United States by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Persons: Tsai Ing, William Lai, Lai, Tsai, Laura Rosenberger, Ben Blanchard, Martin Pollard, Michael Perry, William Mallard Organizations: Taiwan, Democratic Progressive, American Institute, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Pacific, China, Taiwan Strait, United States, Beijing, Washington, Taipei

☆ Taiwan activates air defence as China aircraft enter zone
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, June 8 (Reuters) - Taiwan activated its defence systems on Thursday after reporting 37 Chinese military aircraft flying into the island's air defence zone, some of which then flew into the western Pacific, in Beijing's latest mass air incursion. Taiwan's defence ministry said that from 5 a.m. (2100 GMT on Wednesday) it had detected 37 Chinese air force planes, including J-11 and J-16 fighters as well as nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, flying into the southwestern corner of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ. China's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Monday, she told Taiwan media that the United States had an enduring interest in preserving stability in the Taiwan Strait and the United States would continue to arm the island, a source of constant friction in Sino-U.S. ties. In April, China held war games around Taiwan following a trip to the United States by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

Persons: Laura Rosenberger, Tsai Ing, Ben Blanchard, Tom Hogue, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Pacific, American Institute, Taiwan, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Pacific, China, Russia, Japan, East China, Washington, Taipei, United States, Taiwan Strait, U.S

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