Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense detected 23 Chinese military aircraft and 6 naval vessels on Friday. 19 of the jets crossed the median line into Taiwan’s ADIZ. This follows detection of 21 PLA aircraft and 5 vessels on Thursday.
Increased Chinese Military Presence Around Taiwan
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of 23 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and an official ship operating in its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Friday. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2009430175495434251?s=20
In a post on X, the MND said, “23 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 19 out of 23 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.” https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2009430175495434251?s=20
Reports from Thursday
Earlier on Thursday, Taiwan’s MND detected 21 sorties of PLA aircraft and five PLAN vessels. In a post on X, the MND said, “Overall 21 sorties of PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, H-6K, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 1456hr today. 19 out of 21 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.” https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2009210990601351231?s=20
Earlier in the day, it had said, “9 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.” https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2009067529889517959?s=20
Trump Weighs In on Taiwan’s Security
US President Donald Trump, in an interview to The New York Times brushed aside international law. He hinted that China would not take any steps against Taiwan, till Trump was in office.
On the issue of China and Taiwan, when asked that Xi Jinping regarded Taiwan as a separatist threat to China, Trump told the New York Times, “That’s up to him, what he’s going to be doing. But, you know, I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that. I hope he doesn’t.”
On the recent developments between China and Taiwan, the threat to choke off Taiwan, Trump said that the Chinese President would not take such steps while he is in office. “He may do it after we have a different president, but I don’t think he’s going to do it with me as president,” Trump said. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)