Taipei-The defence ministry of Taiwan announced on Thursday that it detected sixty-six Chinese military aircraft around the island, a record-high this year, one day after saying that Beijing held exercises in nearby waters.
China which keeps its military presence in Taiwan almost every day claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has said it would never rule out forceful methods to bring it under its control.
This new height comes a day after Taipei saw Chinese planes around the island supposedly en route to the Western Pacific for activities with PLA aircraft carrier Shandong.
According to the defense ministry’s statement on Thursday, “66 PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (2200 GMT Wednesday) today,” adding that it “responded accordingly”.
Fifty-six of these Chinese planes went past the sensitive median line bisecting the narrow 180-kilometer (110-mile) waterway called Taiwan Straight separating China from that Island.
An illustration accompanying it showed some of them coming within 33 nautical miles (61 kilometers) of southernmost tip of Taiwan.
The single game record was set in May this year when Beijing sent 62 warplanes and twenty-seven ships to fly and cruise along Taiwans peripherarys.
This took place at the height of war games that Beijing launched following the presidency inauguration ceremony for Lai Ching-te whom Beijing sees as a “dangerous separatist”.
Such incidents are China’s response to recent political developments including our de facto ambassador in Washington meeting and receiving support in relation to Lai yesterday as indicated by Su Tzu-yun, an expert on military affairs.
“Beijing uses pressure against Taiwan as a way expressing dissatisfaction at her backing,” stated Su who is affiliated with Taiwanese Institute for National Defense & Security Research.
While referring to where Shandong had sailed without passing through Bashi Channel before Wellington Koo noted; “it went further south through the Balintang Channel towards the Western Pacific,” which is a waterway just north of the Philippines’ Babuyan Island, approximately 250 kilometers to the south from Bashi.
On Tuesday, neighbouring Japan confirmed that four PLA navy vessels were sailing southeast of Miyako island at 520 kilometers, including Shandong.
The military public affairs chief in the Philippines revealed that they got reports of a China-Russia exercise in Philippine Sea but did not particularly comment on Shandong.
Restricted waters
Over past years, China has increased political and military pressures against Taiwan as well as sending more fighters, drones and ships than ever before while championing “unification” that is “inevitable”.
“The determination and resolve of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity are unwavering,” he said during a regular press briefing. According to Lin Jian who is spokesman for Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed on Thursday that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory”.
Beijing sent one hundred and three warplanes and aircraft last September which was highest number ever observed around Taiwan.
These include those known as grey zone tactics meant to wear down the islands’ forces without any actual declaration of war.
In addition to this, China has also intensified in deploying more and more coast guard ships around Taiwan’s outlying islands this year.
Taipei’s coast guard announced that on Thursday at 0700 hours, four Chinese coast guard ships “entered [Taiwan’s] waters” before leaving after two hours.
The controversy started at 1000 hours with the four vessels “once again sailed in Kinmen’s restricted waters at multiple points, and our patrol boats immediately moved forward to monitor” but they left around twelve noon.
“This year alone they have made as many as thirty one incursions into our side’s controlled waters.”
