jolibet Taiwan detects 53 Chinese military aircraft, 19 ships near island
TAIPEI — Taiwan said Wednesday it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 ships near the island in the past 24 hours, as Beijing holds its biggest maritime mobilization in years.
The aircraft and vessels, which included 11 warships, were detected in Taiwan’s airspace and waters in the 24 hours to 6:00 am (2200 GMT) Wednesday, according to the defense ministry’s daily tally.
Article continues after this advertisementThat was the highest number of aircraft detected in a single day since a record 153 was reported on October 15 after China staged large-scale military drills in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech days earlier.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Pogos changing tactics to avoid crackdown – officials GLOBALNATION Taiwan says China carrying out huge maritime deployment GLOBALNATION CA affirms acquittal of suspected members of Dragon Wu Drug SyndicateREAD: Taiwan says China carrying out huge maritime deployment
The defense ministry reported Tuesday that 47 Chinese aircraft had been detected in Taiwan’s airspace along with 12 Chinese warships in the vicinity of the island.
Article continues after this advertisementTaipei said China is currently deploying around 90 ships along the so-called first island chain — linking Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines — in what is Beijing’s biggest maritime exercise in years.
Article continues after this advertisementThere has been no public announcement by Beijing’s army or Chinese state media about increased military activity in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea or Western Pacific Ocean.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: China’s shows of force against Taiwan
However, a Beijing foreign ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday that China — which regards Taiwan as its territory — will “resolutely defend” its sovereignty.
Article continues after this advertisementThere has also been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military exercises in response to Lai’s visits to the United States last week.
Lai spoke with Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson in Guam on Thursday — the highest-level US contact the Taiwanese leader had during a week-long Pacific trip — which drew a barrage of criticism from Beijing.
China — which has said it would never rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control — has held four large-scale military exercises in just over two years, including two since Lai took office in May.
Taiwan faces the constant threat of a military attack by China and relies heavily on US arms sales to boost its defenses.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
On the eve of Lai’s Pacific tourjolibet, the United States approved a proposed sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16s and radar systems, as well as communications equipment, in deals valued at $385 million in total.
READ NEXT North Korea state media says South ‘in chaos’ afte... PH, Japan, and US discuss regional maritime issues in Tokyo EDITORS' PICK First Fil-Am elected to LA City Council sworn into office Marcos rules out warship deployment in West PH Sea LIVE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Finals Game 2 – La Salle vs UP Quad comm to recommend raps: Will they tag Duterte? Biden says Trump economic plan will be 'disaster' VP to snub NBI probe anew, cites party with media MOST READ PH-US-Japan maritime talks flag ‘unlawful’ Chinese behavior in West PH Sea Grab told to explain why drivers shoulder 20-percent fare cut VP Duterte skips NBI probe, denies making threats in letter COA told: Release info on Office of the President’s secret funds Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View commentsHot News
- jolibet Taiwan detects 53 Chinese military aircraf
- vipph Conversations With Murray Sinclair
- jolibet Alberta Breaks With the Canadian Pension M
- ditowins North Korea state media says South &#
- vipph PH, Japan, and US discuss regional maritime
- ditowins Major Canadian News Outlets Sue OpenAI in
- luck9 Bitcoin Surges to Record as Crypto Investors
- golden palasyo Blue Blossom Puts a Modern Spin on
- nextbet Clemente Bar Opens Above Eleven Madison Pa
- jpwinner gaming 13 die due to Nika, Ofel and Pepit