Several Chinese planes and warships have entered the Taiwan Strait, crossing the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone, its government announced Wednesday morning.
“16 PLA aircraft and 3 PLAN vessels were detected around Taiwan at 6 am,” his government said, prompting them to send their own warships in response.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is China’s official designation for military forces, including the naval forces (PLAN) controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
A US-made CH-47 helicopter flies an 18-meter by 12-meter national flag at a military base in Taoyuan.
(SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)
“[The Republic of China’s Armed Forces] We have monitored the situation and responded to these activities with CAP aircraft, warships, and ground-based missile systems,” the Taiwanese government added.
TAIWAN JETS SCRAMBLES, MISSILE SYSTEMS AFTER DETECTING 11 CHINESE AIRCRAFT, VESSELS NEAR ISLAND
The Taipei Defense Ministry also provided flight paths for the Chinese military vessels, including identification of the aircraft.
“5 of the detected aircraft (J-10*2, Y-8 EW, BZK-005 UAV RECCE and Y-8 ASW) crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered SW ADIZ of Taiwan, flight paths as shown. illustrates”. the government wrote with a photo of the November 15 flight paths.
On Monday, President Joe Biden told reporters that he “did not believe there was any imminent attempt by China to invade Taiwan” following a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Biden also said that a new Cold War with China would not occur as long as the United States continues to communicate with its leaders.
“I absolutely believe there doesn’t need to be a new Cold War,” Biden said. “I have met Xi Jinping many times and we were honest and clear with each other across the board. And I don’t think there is any imminent attempt by China to invade Taiwan.”
BIDEN SAYS AFTER 11TH MEETING HE DOES NOT BELIEVE CHINA IS ‘IMMINENT ATTEMPT’ TO INVADE TAIWAN
He added: “And I made it clear that our policy on Taiwan hasn’t changed at all. It’s exactly the same position we’ve had. I’ve made it clear that we want to see cross-trade issues resolved peacefully and it never has.” come to that.”
Taiwan’s preemptive discovery on Wednesday comes as China continues to hold war games in the region to test its latest military technologies.
Chinese military helicopters fly over Pingtan Island, one of mainland China’s closest points to Taiwan, in Fujian province on August 4, 2022.
(HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier this month, Taiwan was forced to scramble aircraft and its military defense system after it similarly detected 11 Chinese planes near its island.
US SENDS B-52 BOMBERS TO AUSTRALIA ON THE MOVE CHINA WARNS COULD ‘SHOOT’ ARMS RACE
The November 5 sighting came just days after senior PLA officials said their army was “on full-time standby” for a possible war in the Straits.
US officials and their international partners have warned the Chinese government against military escalation and some have vowed to intervene if China invades.
G7 TARGETS MAIN ADVERSARIES AND URGES PEACE FROM RUSSIA AND CHINA UN LEADERS
In October, Jinping said that he would continue to “completely improve training and preparation for war.”
“We must be fully prepared to respond to foreign interference and major incidents related to Taiwan’s independence through non-peaceful means and other necessary measures, always maintain a high state of readiness, and be ready for war at all times,” said Major General Liu Yantong. , added at the time the head of the investigative office of the Central Military Commission.
A Chinese military plane flies over Pingtan Island, one of mainland China’s closest points to Taiwan, in Fujian province on August 6, 2022.
(HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Taiwan identifies as a sovereign nation with democratic values. This prioritization of democracy stands apart from mainland China, which is ruled by communists, and has allowed Taiwan to attract international partnerships.
However, most of these partners, including the US, officially recognized Taiwan as a territory of China. The United States and the United Nations and both agree to the one-China policy.
Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.
