Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported yesterday that 17 warplanes and six warships belonging to China were seen around the island during the day.
In the statement made by the ministry, it was stated that 7 of the planes flew to the east of the air and sea line, which is considered to limit the areas of influence of the parties in the Taiwan Strait, and to the southwestern part of the region that Taiwan declared “Air Defense Identification Zone.”
The statement stated that Chinese air and sea vehicles were tracked with electronic tracking tools, patrol planes, ships, and ground missile systems.
It is observed that after the visit of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, at the beginning of the month, China has regularized flights and ship patrols that cross the nominal middle line in the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese army started military exercises around the island after Pelosi’s visit. The activities lasted for seven days and created a de facto blockade around the island. During exercises using real weapons and ammunition, guided missiles fired from mainland China fell into the waters near Taiwan.
The army spokesman announced that the exercises were completed on August 10 but stated that the military patrol activity in the Taiwan Strait would continue.
Pelosi became the first Speaker of the US House of Representatives to visit the island in a sovereignty conflict with China in 25 years. Earlier in 1997, Newt Gingrich had visited Taiwan while on this mission. The visit drew the reaction of China, which saw the island as part of its territory.
Beijing, emphasizing the “one China principle,” opposes Taiwan’s establishing independent diplomatic relations with the countries of the world, its representation in the UN and other international organizations, and stipulates that the countries that recognize it should break their diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
