China deploys nearly 60 aircraft after Taiwan leader's statement?

Taiwan's Defense Agency announced this morning, March 18, that it had detected 59 Chinese aircraft around the island in the previous 24 hours.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that along with 59 aircraft, nine warships and two Chinese balloons were also detected within 24 hours, as of 6 a.m. on March 18, according to AFP.

This is the highest number of Chinese aircraft recorded by Taiwan since the record number of 153 aircraft reported by Taiwan on October 15, 2024, after China held large-scale military exercises.

China reveals details of naval "show of force" around Australia

Of the Chinese aircraft detected by Taiwan in the 24 hours mentioned above, 54 were participating in joint combat patrols, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry.

China's Foreign Ministry said on March 17 that the actions were a "resolute response to external forces' collusion and support for Taiwan independence and a stern warning to Taiwan independence separatist forces."

Chinese fighter jets during an exercise

Photo: Screenshot chinamil.com.cn

Earlier, Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te on March 13 called China a "hostile external force" and proposed measures to counter what he accused of being China's increasingly deep infiltration into the island, according to Reuters.

In recent times, the number of people prosecuted in Taiwan for spying for China has increased sharply, according to AFP.

China considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory, and has not ruled out the use of force to reunify.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trung-quoc-trien-khai-gan-60-may-bay-sau-phat-ngon-cua-lanh-dao-dai-loan-185250318103542377.htm