Taiwan reports record of 62 Chinese military aircraft in the air defence zone
On Saturday, the Taiwanese defence ministry reported that China directed 62 military aircraft towards the island. This is the most significant number of aircraft Beijing has sent towards Taiwan in a single day since the beginning of this year.
25 May 2024 | updated: 25 May 2024 10:49
According to information provided by the Defence Department in Taipei, "47 [Chinese military aircraft] crossed the Taiwan Strait median line and entered the northern, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern air defence identification zone (ADIZ)."
The situation occurred just three days after the inauguration of Taiwan's new president. On Thursday, China began two-day military manoeuvres around the island to simulate a blockade of Taiwan.
On Saturday, authorities in Beijing announced the completion of the exercises codenamed "Joint Sword-2024A". The statement mentioned that the Chinese military "successfully concluded" the manoeuvres.
China's communist authorities maintain that Taiwan is an integral part of their territory.
The newly inaugurated president of Taiwan, democratically elected on Monday, Lai Ching-te, is described by China as a "dangerous separatist." According to Beijing, he will bring "war and collapse" to the island.
