Taiwan detects 43 Chinese military aircraft, 8 navy ships around island
by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) Sept 26, 2024

Taiwan said Thursday that 43 Chinese aircraft and eight naval vessels were detected around the democratic island within a 24-hour period, movements that came as a Japanese warship cruised through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

China, which claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, sends warplanes, drones and naval vessels around the island nearly every day.

The latest incursions came as Japanese media reported that a Japanese warship sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait for the first time to assert its freedom of navigation.

There was no immediate confirmation from Tokyo of the passage, which media reports said took place on Wednesday following similar journeys by US and European navies in recent years.

On Thursday, Taiwan's defence ministry said the 43 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels were detected in a 24-hour period ending at 6:00 am (2200 GMT Wednesday).

In a statement, it said: "34 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ (air defence identification zone)."

"We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

An illustration released by the ministry showed the aircraft surrounding the island except for the northeastern coast.

The record this year came on July 11 when Taipei said it detected 66 Chinese military aircraft in a 24-hour window.

China has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and has ramped up military pressures on the island in recent years.

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