Taiwan: According to reports from the Taiwan government, 71 Chinese air force aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, have entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry claimed that 47 aircraft were spotted either crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entering Taiwan’s southwestern air defence identification zone.

Seven Chinese navy warships were also detected in the region by the Defence Ministry.

In recent years, China has intensified military harassment of self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing claims to own.

Taiwan’s president, Ms. Tsai Ing-wen, reiterated the need for Taiwan to boost its defence capacity due to “the continuous expansion of authoritarianism.”

“The more preparations we make, the less likely there will be rash attempts at aggression. The more united we are, the stronger and safer Taiwan would become,” Ms. Tsai remarked.

Mr. Shi Yi, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) spokesman, Eastern Theatre Command, stated that the military had organised “joint combat readiness patrols and joint firepower strike drills.”

The Eastern Theater Command further added that “this is a firm response to the current US-Taiwan escalation and provocation.”

According to the Chinese government, democratic Taiwan must be returned to China, and the country has increasingly harassed the island in recent years, regularly sending planes or ships towards it.

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