Taiwan reports near doubling of Chinese warships nearby

8/12/2024 12:27

Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday that China had nearly doubled the number of its warships operating around the island in the previous 24 hours, ahead of what security sources expect will be a new round of war games.



China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has been angered by visits by President Lai Ching-te to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam as part of a Pacific tour. Lai returned from the week-long trip on Friday night.



Beijing has held two rounds of war games around Taiwan this year.



In its daily morning report on Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defence ministry said there were 14 Chinese warships operating nearby, up from the eight it reported the previous day.



The ministry said it had detected four Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait, one of which had brushed the top of the island.



Weather will likely be a factor in China's decision on any war games, security sources say. Weather in the strait has been poor this weekend.