Taiwan’s Defence Ministry has said that over a 25-hour period they detected a record 153 Chinese warplanes flaying around the island in a simulated blockade.
Chinese fighter jets, warships, drones and Coast Guard vessels carried out a one-day military exercise on Monday.
Of the 153 warplanes 111 crossed the Median Line, which is a demarcation point for the Taiwan Strait, Beijing does not recognise this.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said they deployed their aircraft and naval vessels to monitor Chinese military activity.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said that Taiwan is “not [a] subordinate” to China and Beijing “does not have the right to represent Taiwan,” CNN reports.
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Beijing intensifies military activity and warns they will ‘settle the Taiwan issue once and for all’
Beijing said the military exercises on Monday is a “stern warning” to Taiwan’s independence forces.
The Chinese Communist Party claims Taiwan belongs to China and it will be “unified” with Beijing and if they have to the Chinese military will use force over their territorial claims.
CNN reported that analysts said the Chinese military exercises on Monday were “highly dangerous” as Taipei and Beijing are “approaching, closer and closer,” which will “leave us [with] a very short response time.”
On Monday Taipei said this is an “unreasonable provocation” by Chinese military conducting drills which is called Joint Sword 2024-B involves rocket forces, the army, air force and navy around the self-governing Island.
President Lai said, “In the face of external threats, I would like to reassure my compatriots that the government will continue to defend the democratic and free constitutional system, protect democratic Taiwan, and safeguard national security.”
Spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mao Ning said Monday, “Taiwan independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait are incompatible, and the provocation of Taiwan independence forces will inevitably be countered.”
Adding, “It again exposed his stubborn stand of Taiwan independence and sinister intention of increasing tension in the Taiwan Strait to seek political gain.”
The PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command spokesperson Navy Senior Captain Li Xi said, “This is a major warning to those who back Taiwan independence and a signifier of our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty.”
