The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense warned of a potential “sharp rise” in military tensions after receiving reports of fresh Chinese military activity, including the crossing of the Taiwan Strait’s median line by fighter aircraft.
On Tuesday morning, the ministry claimed to have seen 12 Chinese military aircraft in its air defense identification zone, of which seven crossed the median line. This consisted of six J-10 fighters and a drone. In addition, the ministry reported that five Chinese ships conducted “combat readiness patrols,” but did not specify where these patrols occurred.
The ministry has called on Beijing to “immediately stop such unilateral acts,” citing the possibility of a “sharp increase in tensions” and “worsening regional security” as a result of the Communist military’s continued harassment in the region.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, and Taiwan has complained for three years that Beijing is putting more military pressure on the island, mostly by flying close to it.
