Close to 30 Chinese warplanes pass around the island of Taiwan

2023-09-17 11:08:35, Kosova & Bota CNA

China flew 28 warplanes around Taiwan on September 17, and most of them crossed the dividing line in the Taiwan Strait, authorities in Taipei said. According to the authorities, the Chinese aircraft have carried out unspecified "long-range" missions.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said 20 aircraft were detected on Sunday morning that crossed the line separating Taiwan from China and entered the self-governing island's air defense identification zone. According to Taiwan, the planes entered the southeastern part of the island.

China has been conducting "missions such as long-range drills," the Defense Ministry said in a statement, adding that it was monitoring the situation through patrol aircraft and ships.

Beijing claims that Taiwan is part of its territory and will one day take control, even using force if necessary. China has increased military activity and diplomatic pressure on the island in recent years, as relations between Taipei and Beijing have deteriorated.

Last week, Taipei reported an increase in the number of incursions by Chinese warplanes and ships, while Beijing said its forces were put on "high alert" after two ships from the United States and Canada transited this month through Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced that 68 Chinese aircraft and ten ships had been detected around the island on Wednesday and Thursday.

Some of the planes and warships were headed to an unspecified area in the Western Pacific "to conduct naval and air exercises." The Chinese aircraft carrier, Shandong, also participated in these exercises, the ministry said.

The Shandong, one of two active aircraft carriers in the Chinese fleet, was detected on Monday about 110 kilometers southeast of Taiwan, heading for the Western Pacific, authorities in Taipei said.

China has not commented on holding any exercises in the Western Pacific.

Në prill, Pekini kreu stërvitje ushtarake që simulonin rrethimin e ishullit, pasi presidentja e Tajvanit, Tsai Ing-wen, u takua në Kaliforni me kryetarin e Dhomës së Përfaqësuesve, Kevin McCarthy. Atëbotë, Tajvani detektoi 71 avionë luftarakë kinezë brenda 24 orëve, që është numri më i lartë i avionëve që ishulli ka detektuar brenda një dite që nga dhjetori i vitit 2022./ REL