TAIPEI (Reuters) – The Taiwanese government said on Monday that 71 Chinese military aircraft, including drones and fighter jets, passed through Taiwan’s air defense zone in the past 24 hours, the largest Chinese incursion to date.
The Taiwanese Minister of Defense said that among these aircraft, 43 Chinese combat aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait demarcation line, while China continues its military maneuvers near the island, which it considers a renegade province.
China said it conducted “naval and air offensive exercises” around Taiwan on Sunday in response to what it said was provocation by Taipei and the United States.
As usual under these circumstances, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense indicated the deployment of aircraft to warn the Chinese aircraft, whose path was monitored by anti-aircraft defense systems.
Taiwanese presidential services said President Tsai Ing-wen convened a high-level security council meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss strengthening the island’s civil defense system, and the meeting will be followed by a press conference.
The Taiwanese presidency’s statement did not provide further details, but the defense minister said he was considering extending the period of compulsory military service beyond four months.
“The more prepared we are, the less likely we are to be the target of serial aggression attempts. The more united we are, the stronger and safer Taiwan will be,” Tsai Ing-wen said at a military ceremony on Monday.
Several Chinese fighters briefly crossed the demarcation line in the Taiwan Strait, shows the map provided by the Taipei minister. He said seven Chinese navy ships had been spotted near the island.
China has intensified its diplomatic, military and economic pressure on Taiwan in recent years to force the island back into its fold. The Taiwanese government says it wants peace but is ready to fight back.
(Edited by Yimou Lee; French version by Jean Terzien and Myriam Rivette, narrated by Nicolas Delame)
by Yimou Lee
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