Taiwan’s defence ministry detects 35 Chinese military aircraft around island in 24-hour window

Hong Kong Free Press

Taiwan’s defence ministry said Thursday it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft around the island in a 24-hour window.

Giant Taiwan flag is flown through the air by a helicopter during celebrations of the National Day in Taipei, Taiwan on October 10, 2021. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0. — A giant Taiwan flag is flown through the air by a helicopter during Taiwan National Day celebrations on October 10, 2021. Photo: Wang Yu Ching/Office of the President, via Flickr CC2.0.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will never renounce the use of force to bring the self-ruled democracy under its control.

It has stepped up pressure on Taipei in recent years and held military drills around the island following last month’s inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing regards as a “dangerous separatist”.

35 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 33 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/eZAZTCo3Yj
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) June 27, 2024

During those drills, Beijing sent 62 military aircraft around Taiwan in the highest single-day total this year, according to Taipei’s defence ministry.

On Thursday, the ministry said it had detected 35 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around the island during the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 am (2200 GMT).

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https://hongkongfp.com/2024/06/27/taiwans-defence-ministry-detects-35-chinese-military-aircraft-around-island-in-24-hour-window/