Taiwan says 13 Chinese military aircraft crossed Strait's median line in fresh escalation

13 Chinese airforce planes flew on eastern part of median line of Taiwan Strait on Saturday, 13 August, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said. Taking to ir official Twitter handle, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said that 29 Chinese aircraft and six vessels were detected around ir territory. incursions occurred just three days after days after Beijing ended its military drills around Taiwan. 

Notably, China launched military exercises after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan. Defence Ministry of Taiwan tweeted, "6 PLAN vessels and 29 PLA aircraft around our surrounding region were detected today (August 13, 2022) until 1700(GMT+8)." In statement, Taiwan Ministry of Defence stated that rio warnings were issued. It furr ded that air defence missile system have been deployed to monitor China's activities.

Taiwan claims 24 Chinese aircraft detected around region

On August 12, Taiwan said that 24 Chinese aircraft and six vessels were detected around ir territory. In a tweet, Taiwan's Defence Ministry stated that y continue to monitor situation. e Defence Ministry asserted that Taiwan responded to Beijing's activities with aircraft and land-based missile systems. Taiwan claimed that 10 Chinese military aircraft that were detected h flown on eastern part of median line of Taiwan Strait and SW Air defence identification zone.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has remained on high alert since PLA concluded military drills. In a tweet on August 10, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said, "While PLA Eastern ater announced that y have finished ir joint military operation and will conduct routine patrol, #ROCArmedForces will just how we deploy our forces considering multiple factors including troop morale and threats, without letting our guard down."

Earlier on 10 August, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu emphasised that China carried out military drills to influence freedom of navigation in waters and airspace of Taiwan Strait. He described China's decision to launch military exercises around island as a gross violation of Taiwan's rights under international law and poses a threat to region's peace and security.

Image: AP