Taiwan reports spotting 16 Chinese Planes, 3 Ships in 24 hours

Taiwan's national defense ministry said, on Thursday, that 16 Chinese planes and three military warships were spotted near the island in the previous 24 hours.

"16 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today," the ministry said in a statement. 

It is also worth noting that four of the aircraft were identified as a Xian JH-7 bomber, a BZK-007 reconnaissance drone, and two Shenyang J-16 fighters, as per the ministry.

The ministry confirmed that the situation has been closely monitored and stated that a combat air patrol plane, military ships, and land-based missile systems had been ordered to "respond to these activities."

This is happening shortly after a US delegation visited the island of Taiwan, headed by Assistant Trade Representative for China Affairs Terry McCartin from January 14-17, for trade talks following the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, which was formed by both Washington and Taipei last June.

It is worth noting that tensions in the Taiwan Strait reached an all-time high in August 2022, following a visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, the US continues to irk China and violate the One-China principle by sailing its warships through the Taiwan Strait and arming Taiwan with billions of dollars worth of weapons.