China’s aircraft and warships surround Taiwan as invasion threat surges
Multiple Chinese vessels and aircraft have been tracked moving around Taiwan in recent weeks as the threat of invasion looms.
Seven Chinese naval vessels and five military aircraft were detected operating around Taiwan on Sunday, the country's Ministry of National Defence has claimed.
They described one Chinese aircraft entering Taiwan's Southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) as Taipei's forces monitored its movement.
Taiwan has raised the alarm over increased Chinese military activity near its waters in recent weeks.
It previously monitored eight Chinese naval vessels and six Chinese military aircraft operating around the nation on March 23.
In a statement, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said: "Six PLA aircraft and eight PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6am (UTC+8) today. One of the aircraft entered Taiwan's south-western ADIZ.
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"ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities."
Taiwan News has reported that 301 instances of Chinese military arcraft moving toward Taiwan have been observed as well as 165 instances of naval vessels making similarly aggressive patrols.
Taiwan has long sought to govern itself while stopping short of declaring independence.
But China considers Taiwan a province under the People's Republic. As a result, Chinese President Xi Jinping has ramped up aggression against the island in recent years.
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Many have feared Beijing's forces could invade the country – concerns that have only increased over the past year.
The US has been one of the major supporters of Taiwan in recent years. Last week, Taipei admitted that American troops are stationed off the coast of China.
It is believed US troops are present on small islands close to mainland China, including Kinmen Island.
Taiwan's defence minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said: "This exchange is for mutual observation, to identify the problems we have, figure out how to improve and to recognise their strengths so we can learn from them."
Pentagon spokesman Lt Col Marty Meiners added: "Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region."
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