Is China encircling Taiwan? "26 ships spotted around the island"

China-Taiwan tensions continue following the election of Taiwan's new president.

In a statement made via the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense's X social media account, it was stated that 49 military aircraft flew around the island in the last 24 hours, with 35 of them crossing the nominal "median line" in the Taiwan Strait and flying in the area that Taiwan has declared as its "Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)."

On the map published by the ministry, it was seen that the aircraft approached as close as 40 nautical miles (74.08 kilometers) to Keelung City at the northern tip of Taiwan and 57 nautical miles (105.5 kilometers) to Pingtung County at the southern tip.

On the other hand, it was noted that 26 ships, 19 of which belong to the Chinese navy and 7 to the Chinese coast guard, were also detected around the island.

The "median line" in the Taiwan Strait refers to the air and sea line that is assumed to limit the spheres of influence of the parties.

TAIWAN IS BEING BLOCKADED

The flights and ship patrols are part of the military exercises China launched around the island yesterday.

The Beijing administration had announced that it had started military exercises around the island 3 days after Taiwan's new leader, Lai Ching-te, took office.

The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army had reported that the 2-day exercise, called "Joint Sword-2024A," would be conducted around the Taiwan Strait, the northern, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan Island, and the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin near the mainland.

It was emphasized that the exercise, in which units from the Chinese army's land, air, naval, and rocket forces participated, was aimed at "punishing independence-seeking actions" and "warning against the interference of external forces."

In a statement it released, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense condemned the exercise, stating that it "reveals China's aggressive military mentality" and "will harm regional peace and stability."

NEW PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED

The exercises, which form a blockade around Taiwan, came after the inauguration ceremony of the government's newly elected leader, Lai Ching-te, on May 20.

Lai Ching-te, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who won the presidential election in Taiwan on January 13, took the oath of office earlier this week and began his duties.

The Beijing administration views the ruling DPP in Taiwan as "pro-independence" and the party's leader, Lai, as an "incorrigible separatist."

Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, has had de facto independence since 1949. The separation and sovereignty dispute that emerged after the civil war between mainland China and Taiwan continues.

Increasing its military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, the Beijing administration emphasizes that it will not rule out the use of force if necessary for the reunification of the island with the mainland.

News Source: 12punto