China sends large group of warplanes, navy ships towards Taiwan in forceful display.
China has escalated its military activities near Taiwan, sending dozens of warplanes and navy ships towards the self-ruled island in a show of force.
According to Taiwan’s defence ministry, China flew 39 fighter jets into its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, the largest incursion since the island began reporting such activities last year. The warplanes included 24 J-16 fighters, 10 J-10 fighters, four H-6 bombers and one Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft.
The ministry said it scrambled its own jets, issued radio warnings and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor China’s movements.
On the same day, China also dispatched 16 navy vessels, including a submarine, to conduct live-fire drills near Taiwan’s southwestern waters, according to Taiwan’s coast guard.
The coast guard said it deployed patrol boats and aircraft to monitor the situation and safeguard Taiwan’s maritime rights.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. It has stepped up its military pressure on Taiwan since the island’s President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim, was re-elected last year.
Taiwan has accused China of trying to intimidate and coerce it into accepting its terms for political dialogue. It has also urged the international community to support its defence and deterrence capabilities.
The United States, Taiwan’s main security ally, has expressed concern over China’s military activities and reaffirmed its commitment to help Taiwan defend itself.
On Monday, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US was “very closely” monitoring China’s actions near Taiwan and called on Beijing to cease its “military, diplomatic and economic pressure” on the island.
“We urge Beijing to stop its attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait,” Price said.
The US has also been conducting its own naval exercises in the region, involving aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines.
According to a report by Reuters, citing unnamed sources, the US and Japan are planning to hold a joint military exercise in November that will simulate an island defence scenario similar to a possible conflict over Taiwan.
The report said the exercise would involve more than 100,000 troops from both countries and would be the first of its kind in more than 30 years.
The exercise would aim to send a message to China that the US and Japan are ready to defend their allies and interests in the Indo-Pacific region, the report said.