The Chinese military sent seven ships and 71 planes toward Taiwan in a day-long display of force. The move comes after China expressed anger at the US annual dense spending bill’s Taiwan-related provisions.
Taiwan: What is the Chinese military up to?
As per Taiwan’s defense ministry, the Chinese military sent planes and ships toward the island to display force. According to it, between local time 6 am Sunday and 6 am Monday, 47 Chinese planes crossed the median of the Taiwan Strait. The region is an unofficial boundary that was once accepted by both sides. Among the planes sent were six SU-30 fighters and drones, 11 J-1 fighters, and 18 J-16 fighters. Taiwan is monitoring China’s latest moves using land-based and naval vessel-based missile systems.
“This is a firm response to the current US-Taiwan escalation and provocation,” stated Shi Yi. Shi is a spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command. They also announced the PLA is conducting joint strike drills and combat protocols in the waters surrounding Taiwan. Shi was referring to the US’s new defense spending bill which calls China a strategic challenge.
More on the demonstrations of power
China’s continued harassment of the self-rules island is intensifying in recent times. The Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army is sending ships or planes toward Taiwan on a near-daily basis. It has been conducting huge military exercises as a demonstration. However, this is not the first time it conducted the demonstration as a retaliation for the US government’s actions supporting Taiwan. Previously, the Chinese military held five large military exercises as a response to Nancy Pelosi, the US House Speaker’s visit to Taiwan. In Beijing’s eyes, visits from foreign governments are a de facto recognition of Taiwan as an independent Nation. Hence, it is seen as a challenge to China’s claims.