Taiwan reports Chinese military activity after Blinken left Beijing

Taiwan reported a resumption of Chinese military activity near the island on Saturday, with 12 aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a visit to China, Reuters reports.

The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Blinken stated that he emphasized “critical importance” of maintaining peace and stability across the strait during the visit to China, writes Agerpres.

Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, which considers the island its own territory. The government of Taiwan rejects these claims.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said it had detected 22 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets, as of 9:30 am (01:30 GMT) on Saturday, 12 of which crossed the median line in the north and center Taiwan.

The line once served as an unofficial border between the two sides, over which neither side’s military forces crossed, but the Chinese air force now regularly sends planes over it. China says it does not recognize the existence of this line.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said the planes were involved in “joint combat training patrols” with Chinese warships, adding that Taiwanese aircraft and ships responded “appropriately”. He did not provide further details.

Taiwan’s armed forces are well-equipped and well-trained, but they are dwarfed by China’s, especially the navy and air force, which respond almost daily to Chinese missions.

China considers Taiwan to be the most important issue in its relations with the United States, and Beijing has repeatedly called on Washington to end arms sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan’s president-elect, Lai Ching-te, will take office on May 20 after winning the January election. Beijing considers him a dangerous separatist and has rejected his repeated calls for negotiations.

Lai said Thursday that Beijing should have the confidence to talk to Taiwan’s legally elected government. Like ousted President Tsai Ing-wen, Lai says only the Taiwanese people can decide Taiwan’s future.