Largest Force Display Since Poll: 33 Chinese Military Aircraft Circled Taiwan

On Saturday, more than 30 Chinese military aircraft were spotted around Taiwan in a 24-hour, Taipei’s defence ministry stated, marking the greatest display of force on the island since the poll.

China considered Taiwan to be part of its territory and has never renounced using force to take control of the self-governing island.

Beijing warned voters before Taiwan’s January 13 presidential election that if Lai Ching-te, the current vice president whom China has labelled a dangerous separatist, is elected, war and decline will ensue.

Lai still won the election, securing an unprecedented third term for the Democratic Progressive Party, which has consistently opposed China’s territorial claims on Taiwan.

In a statement, Taipei’s defence ministry said, “In the 24 hours leading up to 6:00 am Saturday (2200 GMT Friday), the Ministry of National Defence detected 33 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval ships operating around Taiwan”.

“Thirteen of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait”, Taipei’s defence ministry continued.

“Taiwan’s military has monitored the situation and employed (air patrol) aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities”, the statement reads.

Two Chinese balloons were also spotted crossing the sensitive Taiwan Strait, which separates China from the island.

The show of force followed a visit to Taipei by two US legislators to meet president-elect Lai and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim, whom Beijing has labelled as an ‘independence duo’.

Lai has previously been outspoken about the subject, which China considers a red line, referring to himself as a ‘pragmatic worker of Taiwan independence’.

However, Lai has softened his attitude and pledged to continue President Tsai Ing-wen’s policy of maintaining the status quo while strengthening the island’s defence capabilities.

Two days after his election, the Pacific nation Nauru declared that it was shifting its diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing, reducing Taiwan’s already limited list of allies to twelve.

Tuvalu, for example, is being keenly watched because its pro-Taiwan prime minister recently lost his parliamentary seat, according to election results revealed on Saturday.

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