Taiwan reports surge of Chinese warplanes off its coast

26/9/2024 12:29

        Taiwan's defence ministry said on Thursday it had detected a surge of Chinese warplanes flying off its east, west and south coasts in what a security source said was China simulating attacks to prevent foreign forces helping during a conflict.
        
        Democratically governed Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory, has complained of stepped up Chinese military activity over the past five years. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims.
        
        In its daily report on Chinese military movements in the past 24 hours, Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 43 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island, at least 11 of which had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait that previously served as an unofficial barrier.
        
        Of the 43 aircraft, 23 flew to the south of Taiwan through the Bashi Channel separating Taiwan from the Philippines and then up along Taiwan's east coast, according to a map provided by the ministry, though not into territorial air space.
        
        The ministry said on Wednesday that Chinese aircraft were engaged in long-range missions around Taiwan.