Taiwan activates its Defense, putting its jets following the strike drills conducted by China around the island in response to the provocation of Taiwan and the United States.
According to the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, more than Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels were seen approaching near Taiwan on Saturday morning.
In an official statement released by Taiwan government, “Nine] PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities.”
The Defense Ministry also added that “2 of the detected aircraft (BZK-005 UAV RECCE and Y-8 ASW) had entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated.”
11 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected in our surrounding region by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities. pic.twitter.com/vGKq1fyjwA— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 24, 2022
It also claimed that the sighting last Wednesday was the largest, alleging that Taiwan has seen 39 Chinese aircraft and three naval vessels around the island which prompted an immediate response from Taiwan’s military.
“30 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s southwest and southeast Air Defense Identification Zone,” Fox News reported.
According to the reports, the Chinese drill was fueled by the United States President Joe Biden’s decision to sign the Fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law which allotted $816.7 billion to the Defense Department this month.
The visit of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan last August also reportedly fueled the fire between the US and China over Taiwan.
According to the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese army, the country conducted “joint combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills” around Taiwan.
“This is a resolute response to the current escalation of collusion and provocation from the United States and Taiwan. Theatre forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said in a statement.
According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, China’s actions “once again highlight its mentality of resolving differences by force and destroying regional peace and stability.”
“The Chinese Communist’s ‘military intimidation’ acts are obviously aimed at cowing our people and are not conducive to [China’s] international image,” it said, before adding that Taiwan will continue to boost its military.
