Taiwan detects 22 Chinese military aircraft in combat patrol
(Reuters): On Thursday, Taiwan's defense ministry announced that Chinese warships and planes conducted the first "combat patrol" of the year around Taiwan. Lai Ching-te, the president of Taiwan, recently reiterated his intention to negotiate with Beijing, which prompted this action. Despite being an island governed democratically, China keeps a military presence near Taiwan, which it claims as its own. A component of this presence are the patrols.
It has been fairly commonplace for China to send military ships and planes into the area on "joint combat readiness patrols" many times a month.
During the cruise outside Taiwan, Taiwan's defense ministry spotted 22 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighter jets, as well as Chinese warships. These planes operated over Taiwan's north, west, southwest, and east airspace. The response was the deployment of Taiwanese troops to monitor the situation.
Regarding the incident, the Chinese defense ministry has not yet responded. This development coincides with escalating tensions as China, which considers President Lai a "separatist" and will not speak with him directly, has consistently rebuffed Taiwan's pleas for dialogue with Beijing.
President Lai reiterated his call for negotiations with China during a press conference on New Year's Day. Beijing continues to reject him despite his outspoken readiness to talk about constructive relations. More military protests have resulted from this, such as China's war games near Taiwan last year.
A New Year's film featuring China's warships and warplanes was produced on Wednesday by the Eastern Theatre Command, which oversees operations in the Taiwan area. A Chinese fighter jet was seen flying near a U.S. P-8 Poseidon patrol plane, which regularly traverses the Taiwan Strait, in another video image. A song by Hong Kong pop sensation Andy Lau accompanied the video, which also featured images of Chinese students traveling to Taiwan at the invitation of former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.
Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan's foreign minister, rejected the film, claiming it was just another instance of Chinese psychological warfare. He claimed that it was an effort to scare Taiwan, a message intended to instill fear and sway the island's popular opinion. The performance was viewed as a component of China's larger plan to use intimidation rather than communication to establish its supremacy over Taiwan.
However, the government of Taiwan is adamant that the destiny of the island can only be decided by its citizens. Taiwan's authorities maintain their commitment to self-determination in spite of China's increasing military presence and psychological warfare.
The ongoing tensions are likely to increase in the coming months, with Taiwan continuing to face military pressure from China, while pushing for peaceful dialogue. However, the persistent rejection of talks by Beijing and the increasing frequency of military patrols suggest a continued stand-off between the two powers.
As the situation develops, Taiwan remains vigilant, aware of the military threat posed by China. However, the island's government remains resolute, asserting that the future of Taiwan should be determined by its own people, not through external pressures or military threats.