Taiwan: Tensions in the Asia-Pacific region have escalated as China conducted military exercises near Taiwan and the Philippines. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported suspecting 66 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around the island, with 56 aircraft crossing the sensitive median line in the Taiwan Strait. The aircraft were headed towards the Western Pacific to participate in a joint exercise with the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong.
The Taiwanese defence ministry released an illustration showing some aircraft came within 33 nautical miles of Taiwan’s southern tip. This incident follows a similar occurrence on July 10, when 36 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line.
“66 PLA aircraft and seven PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (2200 GMT Wednesday) today,” the statement said. Fifty-six of the aircraft crossed the sensitive median line bisecting the Taiwan Strait – a narrow 180-kilometre (110-mile) waterway separating the island from China, it said.
They were headed toward the Western Pacific to take part in a joint air and sea military exercise there alongside the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.
The ministry added it had “monitored the situation and responded accordingly”. The Taiwan defence ministry also released an illustration showing some of the aircraft came within 33 nautical miles (61 km) of Taiwan’s southern tip.
The Philippines has also expressed concern over China’s deployment of a “carrier strike group” in the Philippine Sea, with reports indicating the presence of the Shandong aircraft carrier, a guided missile destroyer, and a frigate.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Defence Ministry announced that its Air Self-Defence Force fighters were scrambled in response to a Chinese TB-001 unmanned reconnaissance and attack aircraft entering Japan’s air defence identification zone over the East China Sea.
Regional nations are urging China to adhere to international laws and norms, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The situation highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the need for diplomacy and dialogue to maintain peace and stability.”
Taiwan Detects 66 Chinese Aircrafts Near its Borders as Beijing Deploys Carrier in Disputed Sea world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
