Taiwan reports 11 Chinese fighters, bombers nearby as election campaign kicked into high gear

Taiwan again reported Chinese military activity around the island on Wednesday, with 11 aircraft crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait as the island’s election campaign kicked into high gear. Taiwan reported Chinese military activity surrounding the island on Wednesday, as 11 aircraft crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait. This development came as the election campaign intensified on the island. Taiwan governed democratically but claimed by China as its territory. Taiwan has been lodging complaints for the past four years regarding regular Chinese military patrols and drills near the island. Beijing’s actions are perceived as an attempt to exert pressure on Taipei over its sovereignty claims. As presidential and parliamentary polls are scheduled for January 13, candidates are required to register with the election commission this week. On Tuesday, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), seen by Beijing as separatists, registered its presidential ticket. However, the opposition is currently grappling with internal disagreements about a potential joint bid. The Taiwan defence ministry said that it detected J-10 and J-16 fighters, H-6 bombers and early warning aircraft, conducting overseas missions starting early Wednesday afternoon. Eleven of those aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line flying in airspace to the centre and southwest of the island, working with Chinese warships to carry out “joint combat readiness patrols”, the ministry added. The strait’s median line had previously served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides and which Chinese planes now regularly fly over. Taiwan sent its own forces to monitor, the ministry said. China’s defence ministry did not answer calls seeking comment. China says its activities near Taiwan are aimed at preventing “collusion” between Taiwan separatists and the United States and to protect China’s territorial integrity. Taiwan’s government, which has repeatedly offered talks with China, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future. Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, traditionally supports close ties with Beijing, and has pledged to re-open dialogue with China should it win the election. Wit inputs from Reuters.