China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said, increasing pressure on the island, which Beijing claims.
China’s military moves come amid speculation that Beijing may hold military exercises around the islands in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tae’s recent visits to Pacific allies, including US stops in Hawaii and Guam.
China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy of 23 million people, as its territory and disrupts formal exchanges with other countries. The United States, like many countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a country but is its main unofficial supporter and sells it arms.
The Chinese government has vowed to annex Taiwan through military force if necessary and sends ships and military aircraft near the island almost daily.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons were reported in the 24 hours between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday. According to the ministry, six planes crossed the center line of the Taiwan Strait, the unofficial demarcation zone between Taiwan and China.
According to the ministry, one of the balloons brushed against the northern end of the island.
Lai called on China on Friday to refrain from threats, saying Beijing’s military exercises could not win the respect of neighboring countries.
Lai’s first foreign trip since taking office in May included a visit to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The rest of the world, including the US, has official relations with China.
Lai’s stops in Hawaii and Guam – from where he held phone calls with US congressional leaders – angered China, which opposes US arms sales and military aid to Taiwan.
In response to the visit, there was widespread speculation that China might hold war games around Taiwan, although it was unclear when they might begin.
In October, China conducted exercises around Taiwan with a record one-day total of 153 aircraft, 14 naval vessels and 12 Chinese government vessels in response to Lai’s speech in which he rejected Beijing’s claims to Taiwan.
Beijing calls Lai a separatist and refuses to talk to him.