China increases military activity near Taiwan ahead of US elections
Kyiv • UNN
Taiwan spotted 35 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and bombers, near the island. The activity comes a few days before the US presidential election.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that it had spotted 35 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and bombers, moving south of the island. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
China, which regards democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, regularly sends military forces into the air and sea space near the island in an effort to assert its claim to sovereignty, despite the Taiwanese government's objections.
China's Defense Ministry has not commented on the missions, which come a few days before Tuesday's U.S. presidential election.
Under the law, the United States is obligated to provide Taiwan with self-defense capabilities. The arms sales to Taipei, including a $2 billion missile system announced last month, have sparked outrage in Beijing.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that it had spotted 37 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters, H-6 nuclear bombers, and drones, since 9 a.m. (01:00 GMT) on Sunday.
Of these, 35 aircraft were headed southwest, south and southeast of Taiwan to the western Pacific for long-range exercises, the ministry said, noting that surveillance forces were deployed.
On Saturday, the ministry also reported that China conducted another “joint combat readiness patrol” involving warships and aircraft near Taiwan.
Recall
Last week, Taiwan said that if China blocks the island, it will be an act of war.
