Taiwan says two Russian frigates detected off Island's eastern coast

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Jun 2023 10:43

Taiwan utilizes intelligence and surveillance techniques, combat patrol aircraft, naval boats, and land-based air defense missile systems to track the movements of the Russian frigates.

A guided missile cruiser takes part in an operational exercise of Russia’s Pacific Fleet on June 4, 2023. (Russian Defense Ministry/TASS)

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said the military spotted two Russian frigates approaching from south to north through the island's eastern waters.

"As of 23:00 [15:00 GMT Tuesday], two Russian frigates were detected, which were sailing from south to north along our eastern water area," according to the Ministry's statement.

According to the statement, the ships departed Taiwan's response area in a southeasterly route from the Suao port.

In further detail, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said the island's armed forces had utilized intelligence and surveillance techniques, combat patrol aircraft, naval boats, and land-based air defense missile systems in order to track the movements of the Russian frigates.

This comes just one day after Taiwan threatened to attack Chinese warships and aircraft if they come within 12 nautical miles of the island.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry's combat planning chief Maj. Gen. Lin Wen-huang said on Tuesday that "if the PLA side continues to ignore our warnings along the way and force their way into our territorial air space and seas, we will actively strike back to safeguard national security," as per Taiwan Central News Agency.

It had been six months since Chinese airplanes had come this near to the island, as per the report.

Last week, Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their meeting that Beijing will not compromise on the Taiwan issue and that the US must respect the sovereignty of China.

He added that the US must respect the One-China principle, as per the three joint US-China communiques, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose Taiwan separatism.

Relations between the two largest economies have deteriorated rapidly in the past years. The trade war on China, which was launched during former US President Donald Trump's term, was stretched by Biden's administration to include a military escalation against Beijing in the South China Sea, including violating the "One China" policy and deepening relations with Taiwan.

Biden's administration also launched a tech offensive against China's chip industry, bringing together its allies to join in on the efforts to curb the Asian giant's developing semiconductor sector.

The debacle between the two countries also raised concerns over a possible military clash that might lead to an all-out world war.