Chinese Planes and Ships Remain Around Taiwan

Chinese planes and ships remain around Taiwan

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday, after the end of a three-day military exercise, that Chinese warplanes and naval ships are still present in the waters around Taiwan. In this context, Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, has criticized Beijing for its irresponsible behavior.

China began these military exercises on Saturday after Tsai’s return to Taipei and following her meeting with Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in Los Angeles.

China had warned the United States not to allow Tsai to meet with McCarthy.

Although China announced on Monday night that the military exercises had ended, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense stated that 9 Chinese ships and 26 aircraft, including J-16 and Su-30 fighters, were observed conducting combat readiness patrols around the island late Tuesday morning.

Taiwan’s Air Force, Navy, and missile crews stationed on the coast are closely monitoring and responding. The Taiwanese government has condemned these exercises but has stated that it will not escalate or provoke.