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More than 150 Chinese warplanes flew around Taiwan on Monday.
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The record-breaking one-day development took place during China’s massive war games.
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Beijing said the exercises were intended to test joint military capabilities and warn Taiwan’s “separatists.”
A record number of Chinese military aircraft flew around Taiwan in flight large-scale war games New data from the national Ministry of Defense emerged on Monday.
The exercises, dubbed “Joint Sword-2024B”, involved joint forces simulating Taiwan’s environment, blocking ports, attacking targets and carrying out strikes.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense reported It discovered 153 on Tuesday Chinese People’s Liberation Army aircraft operating around and in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on Monday. 111 of the planes, Taiwan said, crossed the center line and entered Taiwan’s ADIZ. The figure was identified as one record breaking number.
Earlier Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported 125 Chinese aircraft flights operated by 72 aircraft, of which 57 de facto entered the ADIZ. Taiwan’s military has repeatedly said it has been monitoring the activities and responding accordingly.
In response to the major “Joint Sword-2024B” exercises, Taiwan sent combat air patrol (CAP) aircraft and naval ships and used its littoral missile systems.
Chinese military aircraft have crossed the center line and into Taiwan’s ADIZ normal activities in recent yearschanging a long-held status quo, with China sending out military aircraft almost daily. The activities are draining Taiwan of its military and resources to keep a constant eye on the incursions, and fueling China’s campaign to pressure and intimidate Taipei.
China’s “Joint Sword-2024B” exercises are believed to be a response to a National Day speech Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivered on October 10. The Chinese military called the exercises a “stern warning.”
Chinese military media, citing Senior Capt. Li Xi, a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said the exercises focused “on topics of patrols in preparation for naval air combat, blockade of important ports and areasattack on maritime and ground targets, as well as joint conquest of comprehensive superiority.”
Beijing also said the drills were aimed at “resolutely” thwarting separatist efforts for “Taiwan independence.” China claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out using force to bring the island to democracy under its jurisdiction.
In addition to air power, during “Joint Sword-2024B”, a follow-up on exercises that took place in May after Lai’s inaugurationChina used its naval and coast guard ships to encircle Taiwan’s main island, simulating what it would be like if Beijing used its military forces to subject Taiwan to a blockade. China also deployed its first aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoningoff the southeastern coast of the main island. The air wing was involved in the recent operations.
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