Surge of Chinese warplanes fly near Taiwan

Taiwan reported closely monitoring the Chinese military, citing an increasing regional threat, after a surge of warplanes flew near the island to join exercises with China’s Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

These Chinese military drills coincided with a NATO summit in Washington, where a draft communiqué highlighted China’s significant role in supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and its ongoing systemic challenges to Europe and security.

Taiwan’s defense minister reported on Wednesday that the Shandong had passed near the Philippines en route to the Pacific exercises.

In its daily update on Chinese military activity over the past 24 hours, Taiwan’s defence ministry stated it had detected 66 Chinese military aircraft around the island.

Of these, 39 flew to the south and southeast of Taiwan. On Wednesday, the ministry had reported detecting 36 aircraft heading to the Western Pacific for drills with the Shandong.

Speaking to military officers in Taipei, President Lai Ching-te said he will continue to strengthen the island’s defenses.

“The Chinese Communists’ threat to regional stability continues to rise, and its grey zone intrusions into the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas are also increasing day by day, which are a common challenge to global democracy,” he said, according to a statement from his office.

via Reuters