Taiwan claims approach of 20 Chinese aircraft, three ships

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Apr 2023 12:24

Nine aircraft crossed the so-called midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s air defense identification zone, as per Taiwan’s Defense Ministry.

In this photo provided by the US Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) transits the Taiwan Strait with the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) while conducting a routine transit on Sept. 20, 2022. (AP)

As tensions remain high between Beijing and Taipei’s main backer Washington, China sent 20 warplanes and three warships toward Taiwan over the past 24 hours, the island’s Defense Ministry said.

"20 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m. (1 a.m. Moscow time - TASS) today," the statement said.

The Ministry claimed that nine aircraft crossed the so-called midline of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s air defense identification zone.

"The vehicles were: a BZK-005 reconnaissance drone, seven fighter jets J-16, and a Y-8 aircraft. According to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, "R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities," as per the Ministry.

Tensions rose between China and Washington following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in August 2022. China considers Taiwan part of its mainland and opposes any direct official foreign contact with the island, in accordance with the One-China Principle.

China announced last year that it will firmly fight against "Taiwan’s independence" and promote reunification of the island with the homeland.

China has also reiterated that it will take all necessary measures to protect the sovereignty and security of the country, as well as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

In a related development, China vowed on Tuesday to "firmly defend" its national sovereignty, ahead of a meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California this week.

"China will closely monitor the situation and firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing.

China vehemently opposed the US arranging for Tsai Ing-wen to transit through its territory.

"It seriously violates the One-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and seriously undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she told journalists.