Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported on Monday (Dec. 26) that 43 Chinese air force aircraft had flown over the Taiwan Strait's median line in the past 24 hours as Beijing keeps up its military exercises near the island it claims as its own.
Taiwan, which vehemently disputes China's claims to sovereignty, claimed the drills demonstrated that Beijing was sabotaging the region's peace and attempting to intimidate Taiwanese citizens.
At a military ceremony on Monday, Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, reaffirmed the necessity for Taiwan to increase its defense capabilities due to "the continuous expansion of authoritarianism", albeit she omitted to mention the most recent military activity.
China, which asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, declared on Sunday that it had carried out "strike drills" in the sea and airspace surrounding the island in retaliation for what it perceived to be provocations from Taiwan and the United States. Taiwan is a democratically run island.
According to a graphic given by Taiwan's defense ministry, the jets engaged in the most recent incursion momentarily passed the median line of the delicate Taiwan Strait, an unofficial barrier.
As reported by the government, seven Chinese navy ships were also spotted close to Taiwan. The government responded in the usual manner, saying Taiwan sent unnamed fighter aircraft to warn the Chinese planes off while missile systems watched their flight.
There were 18 J-16 fighter airplanes, 11 J-1 fighters, 6 Su-30 fighters, and drones among the aircraft. Taiwan said that it used its land-based missile systems and navy vessels to track Chinese movements.
Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the Chinese army's eastern theatre command, said the announcement of combined combat patrols and strike drills in the waters surrounding Taiwan was "a firm response to the current US-Taiwan escalation and provocation".
Shi was addressing the fact that China is described as a strategic challenge in the U.S. defense funding plan. The law authorizes stronger security cooperation with Taiwan and mandates increased collaboration with India on burgeoning defense technologies, readiness, and logistics.
China's armed forces have frequently utilized large-scale military drills as a show of strength in retaliation to US government support for Taiwan. In response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August, it carried out significant live-fire military drills.
Beijing interprets international delegations visiting the island as a de facto acknowledgment of the island's independence and a refutation of China's claim to sovereignty.
In recent years, China has increased its pressure on the autonomous island to submit to its sovereignty. The government of Taiwan claims it seeks peace but will defend itself if attacked.
