Taiwan Reports Record 153 Chinese Military Aircraft Detected Post-Drills

Photo : PTI

Taiwan has recorded a significant increase in Chinese military activity, detecting a record 153 military aircraft in its airspace in a single day, according to official data released on Tuesday. This surge follows extensive military drills conducted by China on Monday, raising tensions between the self-governed island and the mainland.

The Taiwanese defense ministry reported that the aircraft were observed over a 25-hour period leading up to 6:00 am on Tuesday (2200 GMT Monday), marking the highest number of incursions in a single day. The detected aircraft included fighter jets and drones, with a notable 111 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, which serves as an unofficial boundary between the two sides.

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In response to the drills, which included the deployment of warships and coast guard boats encircling Taiwan, the Taiwanese government dispatched "appropriate forces" and heightened alert levels for its outlying islands. Taiwan condemned China's military maneuvers as "irrational and provocative," echoing sentiments from the United States, which labeled the actions as "unwarranted."

Japan also expressed its concerns regarding the drills, with officials stating they had conveyed their worries to China. In a show of readiness, Japan scrambled fighter jets near its southern island of Yonaguni in response to the increased military presence in the region.

China has made it clear that it views Taiwan as a part of its territory and reiterated its stance of not renouncing the use of force to achieve unification. The latest military exercises, dubbed "Joint Sword 2024B," served as a demonstration of Beijing's resolve, being the fourth round of large-scale drills in the past two years.

Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, has been vocal in defending Taiwan's sovereignty. In a speech on National Day, Lai emphasized the island's intent to resist any attempts at annexation by China, asserting that both sides are "not subordinate to each other." He reiterated his commitment to safeguarding Taiwan’s democratic values and national security.

The backdrop of this escalating tension dates back to the Chinese Civil War, where the Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan in 1949 after being defeated by Mao Zedong's communist troops. Since then, the relationship between the two sides has been fraught with conflict and military posturing, with China increasingly ramping up pressure on Taiwan to recognize its sovereignty claims.

Taiwan's defense ministry also reported observing 14 Chinese naval vessels in the same 25-hour timeframe, slightly down from 17 noted earlier. The increasing frequency and scale of Chinese military exercises highlight the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the broader geopolitical implications for the region.

In the aftermath of these developments, the United States has called on China to exercise restraint, emphasizing that aggressive actions could lead to further escalation in an already volatile situation. The international community remains watchful, as the dynamics between Taiwan and China continue to unfold against a backdrop of historical grievances and nationalistic fervor.