China is sending ships and planes around Taiwan… and Taipei is watching

While US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was in Beijing with the aim of mending strained relations, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army sent 13 planes and 6 ships into the airspace and waters around Taiwan During the past 24 hours through Saturday morning.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it was monitoring the situation from the air and sea, and that ground-based missile systems were ready to respond, according to the Associated Press.

It also added that 4 Chinese aircraft – two Su-30 fighters, a BZK-005 reconnaissance aircraft and a Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft – crossed the middle line in the Taiwan Strait that serves as the de facto border between the two sides, and entered the demarcation zone. Southwest Taiwan Air Defense.

“Strengthen planning for war”

It is noteworthy that shortly before Yellen’s arrival, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the headquarters of the Eastern Theater of the People’s Liberation Army, Thursday.

In his speech to the leaders at the headquarters of Jiangsu Province, Xi also stressed efforts to open up new horizons for the development of field leadership and preparation for war, calling for strengthening planning for war and fighting and intensifying training under real combat conditions to raise the forces’ capabilities to fight and win, according to the media. government media.

She is not expected to meet Yilin Xi during her visit.

American support and Chinese annoyance

China says that Taiwan part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary and sends air and sea missions on an almost daily basis in an effort to weaken the island’s defense capabilities and upset its 23 million inhabitants, who so far seem largely unfazed by such moves.

US support for the self-governing island republic, which seceded from mainland China amid civil war in 1949, remains a major irritant in relations with Beijing.

Beijing strongly objects to US military support for Taiwan, and on Wednesday criticized the sale of artillery shells and other equipment worth $440 million, accusing the United States of turning Taiwan into a powder keg.

The People’s Liberation Army, the world’s largest standing armed force, serves as the military wing of the Communist Party and is overseen by a committee chaired by Xi.