Taiwan detects 32 Chinese warplanes around island in 24 hours, second-highest this year
China-Taiwan
Taiwan’s defence ministryon Thursday (Mar 21) said that 32 Chinese military aircraft were detected around the island in the past 24 hours which is the second-highest number this year. The island’s top security official told President Tsai Ing-wen he does not currently recommend her to visit the South China Sea amid possible risk to her flight from “relevant countries".
32 Chinese warplanes, five ships around Taiwan
The ministry detected around five naval ships operating around Taiwan up until 6:00 am (local time)on Thursday.
Out of the 32 Chinese aircraft, 20 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s southwestern, southeastern, and eastern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), said the defence ministry in a statement.
Taiwan’s defence ministry “monitored the situation and employed CAP (Combat air patrol) aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities,” it added.
In other 24-hour periods in late January and early February Taiwan had detected 33 Chinese warplanes, the highest number this year, so far.
The deployment of Chinese warplanes and naval ships came around the time Taiwan was conducting its presidential election which incumbent Vice President Lai Ching-te won.
The self-governed island has previously accused China of threatening aviation safety and waging psychological warfare on its people.
Taiwan president's visit to South China Sea
Taiwan National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said on Thursday he does not recommend President Tsai to visit the South China Sea given Beijing’s military presence there.
China, Taiwan, and the Philippines are among those who have claimed parts of the South China Sea. However, the self-governed island only controls one main islet called Itu Aba, which Taiwan refers to as Taiping Island.
The Taiwanese president has faced calls from both her ruling party and the main opposition to visit the Itu Aba before she steps down in May to assert Taiwan’s sovereignty.
However, Taiwan’s top security official said that the South China Sea has been highly militarised and the government should also consider how the move would be viewed by the international community.
“Many countries’ aircraft and ships are interfered with by relevant countries when passing through,” he said at the parliament, adding that it is important to assess if the president’s aircraft would be safe during the 1,600-kilometre flight.
Since the beginning of this year, Beijing and Manila have had several clashes in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, the Philippines slammed China for its “dangerous manoeuvres” in the disputed region which left at least four Filipino crew members injured.
When asked by lawmakers if China has ever interfered with the Taiwanese coast guard or military aircraft around Itu Aba, Tsai – who shares a common family name with the president – confirmed that it has happened.
The activities by Chinese “ships and aircraft in the South China Sea are very frequent,” he said, without elaborating.
(With inputs from agencies)