Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said on Saturday it had detected 22 Chinese planes circling the island in less than three hours, according to AFP.
“We have detected the activities of 22 PLA (Chinese army) aircraft (…) since 09:30 (01:30 GMT),” the ministry said in a statement issued at 12:10 on Saturday, reports Stiri.md, with reference to hotnews.ro.
“Twelve aircraft crossed the median line and entered the air defense identification area of northern and central Taiwan,” it added, adding that the fighter jets and drones joined the Chinese navy ships in a “joint combat patrol “.
These actions come less than a month before the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, whom China considers a dangerous separatist.
The median line bisects the Taiwan Strait, a narrow 180-kilometer sea lane that separates the island from mainland China.
Beijing, which does not recognize that line, claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has never shied away from using force to bring the island under its control.
Under the administration of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, tensions between Beijing and Taipei have risen as she and her government reject any Chinese claim to the island.
His deputy, Vice President Lai, won the presidential election in January despite warnings from Beijing that it would cause “war and decline” in Taiwan.
Saturday’s show of military force comes as the US and the Philippines conduct joint military exercises, particularly near potential hotspots in the South China Sea and Taiwan Island.
The joint exercises include a simulated takeover of enemy-held islands in areas in front of Taiwan.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international ruling that found there is no legal basis for the claim.
Recent clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships have reignited fears of a wider conflict. China’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of “fueling the flames of military confrontation.”
