Taiwan detects 53 Chinese planes, 19 ships near island
TAIPEI—Taiwan said Wednesday it had detected 53 Chinese military aircraft and 19 ships near the island in the past 24 hours, as Beijing holds its biggest maritime mobilization in years.
The aircraft and vessels, which included 11 warships, were detected in Taiwan’s airspace and waters in the 24 hours to 6 a.m. (2200 GMT) Wednesday, according to the defense ministry’s daily tally.
That was the highest number of aircraft detected in a single day since a record 153 was reported on Oct. 15, after China staged large-scale military drills in response to Lai’s speech days earlier.
On Tuesday, 47 Chinese aircraft were detected in Taiwan’s airspace along with 12 Chinese warships in the vicinity of the island.
Biggest exercise
China is currently deploying around 90 ships along the so-called first island chain, which links Okinawa, Taiwan and the Philippines, in what Taipei said is Beijing’s biggest maritime exercise in years.
There has been no public announcement by Beijing’s army or Chinese state media about increased military activity in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea or Western Pacific Ocean.
But there has been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military exercises in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s visits to the United States last week.
