Taiwan's defense ministry announced on Saturday that ten Chinese aircraft, including nine fighter jets and one military drone, crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line within a 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday (2000 GMT on Friday). The median line serves as an informal barrier between the two sides. Taiwan sent aircraft to warn off the Chinese aircraft and deployed missile systems to monitor their movements.
The democratically governed island, which China considers its own territory despite Taiwan's objections, has been witnessing near-daily Chinese air force missions in recent years, typically occurring in the southwestern part of its air defense identification zone. China has warned of unspecified consequences if Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen meets with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy during her ongoing trip to the Americas.
In August, China conducted military exercises near Taiwan following then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei. Although a senior Taiwanese official familiar with the island's security planning said large-scale exercises are unlikely to be repeated, Taiwan remains prepared for any "irrational" Chinese response.
On Friday, nine Chinese aircraft crossed the median line while conducting combat readiness patrols. Taiwan's defense ministry claimed that these actions were deliberately intended to create tension and undermine peace and stability in the region.
