Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity on Sunday, raising tensions in the region. Nine Chinese aircraft crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, accompanied by warships conducting “combat readiness patrols,” according to Taiwan’s defense ministry. The move comes after a period of reduced military activity during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to San Francisco for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he met with U.S. President Joe Biden.
Over the past four years, Taiwan has consistently complained about Chinese military patrols and drills near the island, as China asserts its territorial claims over Taiwan. The nine aircraft involved in the recent incident included Su-30 and J-10 fighters, as well as early warning and electronic warfare aircraft.
Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that it had sent its own forces to monitor the Chinese activity. China’s defense ministry did not provide an immediate response. Beijing maintains that its activities near Taiwan are aimed at countering “collusion” between Taiwan separatists and the United States and protecting China’s territorial integrity.
The Biden-Xi talks in San Francisco highlighted Taiwan as a significant and contentious issue. During the meeting, Xi emphasized that Taiwan was the most significant and dangerous matter in U.S.-China relations. Taiwan, which holds presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and insists that only the island’s people can determine their future.
China has conducted two large-scale war games around Taiwan in the past year and a half, contributing to regional concerns and escalating tensions. While China’s air force has not flown directly over Taiwan or entered its territorial airspace, the recent military activity underscores the ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Taiwan Strait.
Read Now:Disparity in Access: Wealthy Brits Purchase Ozempic Online Amid NHS Shortages
