Taiwan slams China, claims 18 Chinese aircraft violated territory

The first significant military action following the election took place on Wednesday night, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry, when it discovered 18 Chinese air force aircraft flying above the country and conducting “joint combat readiness patrols” alongside Chinese warships. China, which considers Taiwan to be its own territory, has been routinely deploying warships and warplanes into the skies and seas surrounding the island during the past four years. in an effort to bolster claims to sovereignty that the Taipei government denies. Taiwan chose Lai Ching-te, the nominee of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), to be its next president on Saturday. Beijing has frequently denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist and war monger. The defense ministry of Taiwan reported that, beginning at approximately 11:50 p.m. (1150 GMT) on Wednesday, it had seen 18 aircraft, including Su-30 fighters, flying over the northern, central, and southwest regions of the island. In order to conduct “joint combat readiness patrols” with Chinese warships, eleven of the aircraft flew across the middle line of the Taiwan Strait or nearby locations, the ministry continued. Once an unofficial border between the two sides, the median line across the strait is now often crossed by Chinese aircraft. China claims that it is unaware of the existence of the line. The ministry stated that Taiwan dispatched its own military to observe. “The security and prosperity of the Taiwan Strait region are closely related to global development and stability, and are obligations and responsibilities that all parties in the region must share,” it said in a statement. “The military will continue to strengthen its self-defence capabilities in accordance with enemy threats and self-defence needs, and respond to regional threats.” (With agency inputs)