More than 20 Chinese warplanes were detected around Taiwan, and 11 of them crossed the sensitive median line separating the self-ruled island from China, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday (18/1). It was the first significant show of force by China since Taiwan’s presidential election last weekend.
The ministry, which releases data on China’s military presence around Taiwan from day to day, said that on Thursday 24 warplanes and five ships were detected in the 24 hours leading up to six in the morning local time.
“A total of 11 warplanes were detected crossing the center line of the Taiwan Strait or entering southwest and northern Taiwan (air defense identification zones,” the ministry said in a statement.
Supporters of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je wait for the presidential election results at the TPP headquarters in Xinzhuang in New Taipei City on January 13, 2024. (Photo: AFP)
Democratic Taiwan has its own government, military and currency. However, China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never denied the possibility of using force to take control of the island.
The election on Saturday (13/1) was won by Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Progressive Party, which China considers a “separatist.” Ahead of voting day, Beijing warned that Lai’s victory could bring “war and decline” for Taiwan.
China – which maintains a military presence around Taiwan almost daily – did not immediately send large numbers of warplanes and naval ships after the election was over.
However, Beijing first ‘attacked’ politically, with one of the countries in the Pacific, Nauru, suddenly announcing that it would switch its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China on Monday, so that Taipei now only maintains diplomatic relations with the remaining 12 countries or states. .
The highest number of warplanes sent by China in a 24-hour period occurred last September, when Taiwan detected 103 Chinese warplanes around the island. A total of 40 of them crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait.
Conflict experts say China’s continuous flow of warplanes and Navy ships around Taiwan represents a “gray zone” tactic that is aggressive enough without openly declaring war. (rd/rs)