Taiwan concerned about Chinese military presence

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday that her administration will keep "close and frequent contacts" with the US as she expressed her concerns about Chinese military aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region.

Tsai made the statement at a Lunar New Year speech at the presidential office in Taipei.

In recent weeks, the US reaffirmed its support for Taiwan following China's dispatch of warplanes near the island in an apparent attempt to intimidate its democratic government and test the resolve of the new American presidential administration.

During her address on Tuesday, Tsai said the presence of US military aircraft and vessels in the name of freedom of navigation sends a clear message during a time when regional security is challenged by China.

Tsai said that Chinese military aircraft and vessels had been "frequently active in the maritime and air space around Taiwan" and believed that "those actions are not conducive to peace and stability" in the region.

She also reiterated that Taiwan would not back down when facing pressure and would not rashly advance when receiving support, which have been Taiwan's practice when dealing with cross-strait relations.