Taiwan’s military on Tuesday detected the approach of 47 aircraft and 12 ships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as well as nine vessels belonging to Chinese government agencies, the island’s defence ministry said.
The military statement said 16 of all spotted aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the southwest of the island. In response, Taiwan’s army deployed aircraft, ships and land-based anti-aircraft missile systems to track the Chinese military’s actions.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday demanded that China stop military intimidation and ‘irrational behaviour’ that threatens peace and stability in the region.
Relations between China and Taiwan have deteriorated sharply since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived on the island last August. Beijing considers Taiwan its territory and views visits by officials from other countries as support for independence.
Chinese authorities accused Pelosi of violating the “one China” principle. After that, Beijing began firing drills in the area of the Taiwan Strait.
