Many Chinese aircraft 'combat patrol' near Taiwan

Taiwan's Defense Ministry confirmed that the Chinese military aircraft flew in airspace north, west and east of Taiwan, and Taiwanese forces were dispatched to monitor them.

China's JL-10 fighter jet

As of last night, there was no word on a response from China’s Ministry of National Defense. On January 1, China’s Eastern Theater Command released a New Year’s video on social media featuring warships and fighter jets, including footage that appeared to show a Chinese fighter jet flying near a P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft that the United States periodically sends over the Taiwan Strait, according to Reuters. The video also included footage of Chinese students who visited Taiwan late last year at the invitation of former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.

At a New Year press conference on January 1, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te said he welcomed equal, healthy and orderly exchanges with mainland China. He has repeatedly called for talks but has been rejected.

China considers Taiwan an indivisible part of its territory, while Lai is seen as advocating secession, arguing that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future. In his New Year's speech on December 31, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that no one can stop China's "reunification" with Taiwan, according to Reuters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhieu-may-bay-trung-quoc-tuan-tra-chien-dau-sat-dai-loan-185250103001311436.htm