Taiwan’s defense ministry reported a record surge in Chinese military aircraft activity around the island during China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” drills. President Lai Ching-te’s national day speech sparked the drills, which were seen as a warning against separatist acts by Taiwan. The defense ministry detected 153 Chinese military aircraft, with 28 crossing the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, an area China does not recognize. Other areas of activity included near a major air base in Taiwan’s southeast and the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. Additionally, 14 Chinese navy ships and 12 official ships were spotted in the region. Premier Cho Jung-tai expressed concern over the disturbance to peace and stability caused by the drills, which also impact international navigational rights. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s territorial claims and asserts that only the people of the island can determine their future. The escalating tensions between Taiwan and China have drawn attention from other countries due to the potential impact on regional stability.
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Taiwan reports Chinese military dispatched a record 153 aircraft towards island in war simulation
