Taipei: Taiwan’s defense ministry disclosed on Wednesday that it observed 14 aircraft from the Chinese air force, stationed on the mainland, conducting flights over the island as part of “joint combat readiness patrols” alongside PLA warships.
Beijing has consistently deployed warships and aircraft into the airspace and waters surrounding the island over the past four years to assert its sovereignty claims, which the Taipei government firmly rejects.
According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, beginning at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, the People’s Liberation Army was detected operating 14 aircraft, comprising drones and J-16 fighters, off the coast of northern and southwestern Taiwan.
Nine of these aircraft, the ministry elaborated, crossed over the median line of the Taiwan Strait or adjacent areas to conduct “joint combat readiness patrols” with PLA warships.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Beijing’s defense ministry, as mainland China is in the midst of its week-long Lunar New Year holiday.
Taiwan deployed its own forces to monitor the situation, as stated by its defense ministry.
Beijing regards Taiwan as an integral part of China, to be reunified by force if necessary. While most countries, including the US, do not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any attempt to seize the self-governed island by force and is committed to providing it with defensive weaponry.
The median line of the Taiwan Strait once served as an informal demarcation between the two sides, but PLA aircraft now routinely fly over it. Beijing asserts that it does not acknowledge the existence of this line.
Last month, the island elected Taiwanese Vice-President William Lai Ching-te as its next president, a figure Beijing has labeled as a dangerous “separatist”.
Lai, set to assume office in May, has expressed willingness for dialogue with Beijing, which has been rebuffed. He maintains that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their future.
