Increased Chinese Air Force Activities
The defense ministry of Taiwan reported the detection of 23 Chinese aircraft, which included Su-30 fighters and drones. These planes were observed operating off northern and central Taiwan, as well as in the southwest region of the island. Thirteen of them crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered nearby areas in collaboration with Chinese warships, conducting “joint combat readiness patrols.” It is worth noting that Chinese planes now regularly fly over the strait’s median line, even though China refuses to acknowledge its existence.
Monitoring Response by Taiwan
In response to the Chinese air force activities, Taiwan deployed its own forces to monitor the situation. The defense ministry of Taiwan has not provided any further details regarding the monitoring operation conducted by their forces. On the other hand, China’s defense ministry has not released an immediate response to Taiwan’s announcement.
The timing of China’s increased military activities near Taiwan coincided with a meeting between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok. This meeting builds upon the commitment made by the leaders of the two nations to engage in deeper dialogue. The officials will engage in discussions over Friday and Saturday, following a four-hour meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.
During the summit, Biden and Xi pledged to establish a presidential hotline, revive military-to-military communications, and cooperate in curbing fentanyl production. However, their stance on the Taiwan issue remained divergent. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties, Taiwan enjoys strong support from the United States. China’s foreign ministry has confirmed that Taiwan will be a topic of discussion during the China-U.S. talks.
New President for Taiwan
Earlier this month, Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was elected as the new president of Taiwan. Lai’s election comes at a time of escalating tensions between Taiwan and China. It remains to be seen how Lai’s presidency will shape the future of Taiwan-China relations.