TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan reported renewed Chinese military activity near an island on Saturday when 12 aircraft crossed the sensitive middle line of the Taiwan Strait, a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a visit to China.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Blinken said he stressed the “critical importance” of maintaining cross-strait peace and stability while in China.
Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, which claims the island as its territory. The Taiwanese government denies these claims.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had detected 22 Chinese military aircraft, including Su-30 fighter jets, 12 of which had crossed the median line into northern and central Taiwan since 9:30 a.m. (0130 GMT) on Saturday.
The line once served as an unofficial border between the two sides that neither side’s military crossed, but the Chinese air force now regularly sends planes over it. China says it does not recognize the existence of the line.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said the aircraft were engaged in “joint combat readiness patrols” with Chinese warships, adding that Taiwanese aircraft and ships responded “appropriately”. He did not provide details.
China’s Defense Ministry did not respond to calls for comment after office hours on Saturday.
Taiwan’s armed forces are well-equipped and trained, but outnumbered by China’s, especially the navy and air force, which respond to Chinese missions on an almost daily basis.
China views Taiwan as the most important issue in its relations with the United States, and Beijing has repeatedly demanded that Washington end arms sales to Taiwan.
Newly elected Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te takes office on May 20 after winning the January election. Beijing considers him a dangerous separatist and has rejected his repeated calls for talks.
Lai said Thursday that China should have confidence in dealing with Taiwan’s legally elected government. Like outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, Lai says only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.