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Taiwan heightens alert amid increased Chinese military activity

Taiwan’s military has raised alert status to “high” against reports of increased Chinese military activity, including airspace restrictions, and deploying many warships and coastguard vessels in the area around the island. The Ministry of National Defense said Monday it has carried out combat readiness drills while activating an emergency center handling potential threats from Beijing.

But a security source in Taipei said China currently had close to 90 naval and coastguard ships operating in waters around Taiwan, the southern Japanese islands, the East and South China Seas. Of these vessels, around two-thirds are naval ships.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed China’s determination to “firmly defend” sovereignty and territorial integrity, once again repeating that Taiwan was “an inalienable part of China.” Taiwanese officials since the weekend have reported 14 Chinese warships, seven military aircraft, and at least four balloons, amid speculation of an imminent Chinese military drill.

https://twitter.com/China_Glimpse/status/1866060644384129389

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said six of the military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary between Taiwan and China. One balloon also flew over the northern tip of the island. Taiwan also said China has established seven zones of reserved airspace to the east of its Fujian and Zhejiang provinces for specific military use, though other flights may pass through with permission.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry warned that “any unilateral and provocative act can gravely destroy the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region,” a sentiment echoed by the international community. Tensions have increased following Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te’s recent tours of Pacific allies, which include stops in Hawaii and Guam.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has threatened to annex the self-governed island, conducting frequent military exercises near its borders. While the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a separate country, it remains the island’s biggest unofficial ally and arms supplier. Amid tensions, President Lai asked China to refrain from threats: “Raising your fists is not as good as opening your hands.” He stressed that military coercion will not earn respect from neighboring countries. Taiwan still faces the ever-present threat of military action from China and relies heavily on U.S. arms sales to beef up its defenses.

Source
Al Jazeera

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