Taiwan: Expert analyzes what the country looks like after the victory of a prodemocracy candidate
The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said it detected the presence of 23 Chinese fighter jets flying near the island of Taiwan this Friday (26). According to the ministry, the aircraft conducted joint patrols as if they were on combat readiness.
Government representatives from China and the USA are scheduled to meet in Thailand in the coming days.
China considers Taiwan to be part of Chinese territory and claims it has sovereignty over the island. Over the past four years, it has been common for China to send planes and warships to regions near Taiwan.
Taiwan's defense minister said the aircraft included:
Of the 23 aircraft, 13 crossed the ChinaTaiwan dividing line in the Taiwan Strait. The border is an unofficial barrier between the two, but the Chinese do not acknowledge the existence of the gap and often cross it.
Taiwan sent its own troops to monitor the situation.
1 of 1 Photo taken from an American ship shows a Chinese ship near Taiwan Photo: Portal Photo taken from an American ship shows a Chinese ship near Taiwan Photo: Portal
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet in Thailand for talks on military issues and curbing production of fentanyl, an opioid whose use has been rising.
The US pursues a policy of strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan. The Americans do not officially recognize the existence of the Taiwanese government, but support the island in various ways.
China's foreign ministry has already said Taiwan will be a topic of discussion when it meets with US leaders in Thailand.
Earlier this month, Lai Chingte of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected president of Taiwan. For China, Lai is a separatist. He tried to arrange a meeting with the Chinese authorities, but the Chinese government did not receive him.