Taiwan says 35 Chinese aircraft detected around island

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Jun 2024 08:19

Taipei says it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around the island during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT).

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In this undated file photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location. (Taiwan Ministry of Defense via AP)

Taiwan's Defense Ministry on Thursday confirmed that it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft around the island within a 24-hour period.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, said it will never renounce the use of force to bring back the self-ruled island under its control.

Beijing sent 62 military aircraft around Taiwan in the highest single-day total this year, according to Taipei's Defense Ministry.

On Thursday, the ministry said it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around the island during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT).

Taiwan reports daily drills of Chinese warplanes and warships in the area, as Beijing continues asserting its sovereignty over the island.

This comes a week after the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency confirmed the State Department's possible sale of $360 million worth of drones and missiles to Taiwan.

The agency said the sale "will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region."

It added that Switchblade 300 anti-personnel and anti-armor loitering munitions are included in the sale for an estimated cost of $60.2 million, and ALTIUS 600M-V drones and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that "in the face of the Chinese communists' frequent military operations around Taiwan, these US-agreed-to arms sales items will have the ability to detect and strike in real-time, and can respond quickly to enemy threats."

In recent years, Taiwan has complained that China has been engaging in so-called gray zone warfare, which aims to exhaust an opponent without resorting to open combat.

Beijing strongly opposes the United States' arms sales to Taiwan, criticizing Washington for aiding what it perceives as efforts to promote "Taiwan independence" through military strengthening. China also resolutely opposes the US interference in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext.