Will further incidents follow?
China sends 21 fighter jets near Taiwan
April 20, 2024, 4:32 p.m
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China regularly sends its fighter jets near Taiwan. Now there is another incident: The island’s defense ministry counts 21 military aircraft, some of which cross the unofficial sea border. Experts expect further shows of force.
Taiwan says it has spotted 21 Chinese military aircraft near the island. Seventeen of the planes crossed the unofficial maritime border known as the median line, said the Defense Ministry in Taipei, a month before President Lai Ching-te, elected at the beginning of the year, took office. The Taiwanese army is monitoring the activities and using “appropriate means to respond accordingly,” it said.
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland – if necessary with military force. China has been regularly sending fighter jets and warships near the island for several years.
More demonstrations of force in the coming weeks?
On Friday, China launched two flight routes that pass close to the islands of Kinmen and Matsu, which are claimed by Taiwan. Taiwan’s aviation authority criticized the measure and spoke of a safety risk.
According to observers, China is also increasing its presence due to joint military exercises between the USA and the Philippines planned for Monday in the South China Sea. The two countries are moving “ever closer to the Taiwan Strait” with their exercises, said political expert Wen-ti Sung. Parts of the sea area are disputed between the neighboring states.
Observers expect further demonstrations of power by Beijing until May 20th. Then Taiwanese President-elect Lai is scheduled to take office. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been particularly tense since the presidential election in mid-January: the Chinese government classified election winner Lai as a “separatist” and warned that he would cause “war and decline.”