A Chinese TB-001 combat drone has flown around Taiwan, demonstrating Beijing's ability to attack the island's east coast bases, while a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait. China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory, has intensified military pressure on the island in the last three years to force Taipei to accept its sovereignty claim. This escalation comes after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles earlier this month.
Taiwan's defense ministry reported that 19 Chinese military aircraft had entered the island's air defense identification zone within the past 24 hours, including the TB-001 drone. Chieh Chung, a military researcher at Taiwan's National Policy Foundation think tank, said that in a war scenario, China is likely to deploy the TB-001 to identify targets on Taiwan's east coast, where reserve forces would be sheltered.
Chinese state media has referred to the TB-001 as the "twin-tailed scorpion" and reported that it is capable of high-altitude, long-range missions. China's air force has also conducted "island encirclement" missions with nuclear-capable H-6 bombers.
Concerned by the tensions surrounding Taiwan, Washington and its allies have repeatedly called for the maintenance of the status quo and no forced changes. The US Navy's 7th Fleet said the Poseidon flew in international airspace, adding that the United States "upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations." The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait exemplifies the US commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific."
China's military monitored the Poseidon's flight and accused the US of provocative behavior in the strait. The US and Taiwan disagree with China's claim to sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, arguing that it is not international waters.
French Senate Vice President Alain Richard, who met Tsai in Taipei, emphasized that Taiwan's security is a significant concern for France. He added that the recent passage of a French warship through the strait demonstrated France's commitment to security in the area. While neither the French nor Taiwanese governments have officially confirmed details, Taiwan's defense ministry stated that it was aware of the transit.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently cautioned against being drawn into a crisis over Taiwan driven by "an American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction."
