Published 03/26/2024 08:55
China sends military planes and ships almost every day to the vicinity of the island, which Beijing considers part of its territory and which it wants to regain control of, including by force if it deems necessary.
Faced with pressure, the Taiwan Air Force Command announced this Tuesday that it “will continue to improve the intensity of training to respond to potential threats.” The country carried out a surface-to-air missile exercise to “verify the command and control of joint air defense operations between the three branches of the Armed Forces,” he said.
Increased military pressure
In recent years, Beijing has increased military pressure on the self-governing island, which it considers part of its territory, with almost daily deployments of planes and ships from its Army to its surroundings.
Between Thursday and 6am this Friday, Taiwan’s defense forces detected 36 planes and six ships of the People’s Liberation Army around the island. The day before, Taiwan had reported 32 Chinese planes near its territory.
Since the 2016 electoral victory of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who does not recognize Chinese claims, Beijing has increased military, economic and diplomatic pressure on the territory. Taipei considers the almost daily dispatch of Chinese planes and ships to its surroundings a form of harassment, which, according to military experts, represents the prelude to open war.
Last week, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense announced the detection of 36 Chinese military planes around its territory in a 24-hour period, the highest number so far this year.
*With information from AFP
Tags: Taiwan conducts air defense test Chinese military incursions World Science
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