Taiwan has observed a spike in military activities by China near its airspace just one day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Beijing, as reported by Reuters. This development underscores the ongoing tension between Taiwan and China, with the United States playing a crucial role in supporting Taiwan despite not having formal diplomatic relations.
On Saturday, Taiwan‘s defense ministry detected significant Chinese military presence near the island. According to Reuters, a total of 22 Chinese military aircraft were spotted, with 12 of them crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait. This line, historically considered a buffer between Taiwan and mainland China, has been frequently crossed by Chinese forces, challenging the status quo in the region.
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The US remains a key ally to Taiwan, providing substantial military support. During his visit to China, Blinken emphasized the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, a sentiment reflecting the delicate balance in US–China relations concerning Taiwan.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory, a claim strongly rejected by Taiwan‘s democratically elected government. The situation remains tense as Taiwan prepares for the inauguration of its President-elect Lai Ching-te on May 20. Lai, who is perceived by Beijing as a separatist, has advocated for dialogue, which China has consistently rejected.
Taiwan‘s armed forces, while smaller compared to China‘s, responded promptly to the military activities with their aircraft and ships. The Chinese Ministry of Defense did not respond to calls for comments regarding the incident.
As tensions continue, the international community watches closely, especially with Taiwan‘s new leadership soon to take office. Taiwan insists that its future should be determined by its people, a stance that is likely to influence its relations with both the United States and China moving forward.
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