Taiwan Detects 45 Chinese Military Aircraft Around Island

On Wednesday, Taipei stated that it had detected 45 Chinese military aircraft around Taiwan, the most in a single-day number this year and less than a week before the self-ruled island’s new president, whom China regards as a dangerous separatist.

China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has stated that it would never renounce the use of force to bring it under its control.

It has warned that Lai Ching-te, the current vice president who will be sworn into Taiwan’s top post on May 20, would bring war and decline to the island, and tensions have risen since he won the January poll.

In a statement, Taipei’s defence ministry stated that it identified 45 Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels operating around Taiwan during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT).

“26 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait”, the ministry continued, referring to a line that cuts through the 180-kilometre (110-mile) waterway that separates Taiwan from China.

The ministry went on to say that it had monitored the situation and responded accordingly.

On Tuesday evening, the ministry reported that 23 Chinese aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, were detected around Taiwan within a two-hour period.

Beijing has increased military pressure on Taiwan, with warplanes, drones, and naval vessels patrolling the island on a daily basis.

The largest ever observed around Taiwan was last September when Beijing sent in 103 warplanes and aircraft, 40 of which breached the median line.

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