2023-08-26 09:36:01
The national flag of Taiwan
The relationship between the island nation and China is tense.
(Photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire)
Beijing China has sent numerous military planes and ships to the island’s area, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. In a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday morning, 32 aircraft and nine naval vessels were spotted, the ministry said. Some of the planes crossed the de facto border between China and Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has activated its own aircraft, ships and missile systems to respond.
China regards the democratically governed Taiwan as part of its national territory. The Chinese communist government has not ruled out the possibility of using force to take control of Taiwan. Over the past year, Beijing has stepped up military exercises in the area of the island.
The US State Department said on Wednesday that it had agreed to sell F-16 fighter jet engineering systems and related equipment to Taiwan. The deal is worth half a billion dollars. China’s defense ministry said on Friday the deal was “gross interference” in China’s internal affairs.
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