Taipei, September 18, 2023 (Lusa) — Taiwan announced today that it had detected 103 Chinese military aircraft near the coast of the island in the space of 24 hours, a new record, as Beijing intensifies its military activities in the region.

According to official data released by Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, this is the highest number of Chinese military aircraft since April 10, when the island detected 91 aircraft off the coast.

In a statement, the ministry also said today that it had detected, in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. (11 p.m. Sunday in Lisbon), nine warships near Taiwan.

The statement noted that 40 Chinese planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between China and Taiwan.

In response, Taiwan sent its own planes, ships and missile systems to respond to these activities, according to the military.

Two weeks ago, American and Canadian warships crossed the Taiwan Strait, contesting China’s territorial claims.

A week ago, Beijing sent a naval formation led by the aircraft carrier Shandong about 110 kilometers southeast of Taiwan. According to Chinese official bodies, the ships were carrying out simulation exercises against attacks launched by planes, submarines, warships and land assets.

China and Taiwan have lived as two autonomous territories since 1949, when China’s former nationalist government took refuge on the island following its defeat in the civil war against the communists.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of Chinese territory and threatens to reunify it by force if the island officially declares independence.

In recent years, Beijing has begun sending warships and warplanes near Taiwan almost daily.

VQ (JPI) // JMC

By Impala News / Lusa

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