Taiwans defence ministry has detected 70 Chinese military aircraft and 11 naval ships around Taiwan and its armed forces were monitoring the situation to respond to these activities. According to the information, China has entered the third day of the drills over the island. The drills were started on April 8, Saturday, right after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen returned from the US.As per media reports, Taiwan made the declaration on Sunday that their defence system has discovered numerous Chinese air force sorties and was keeping eye on the missile forces of Beijing. The drills were started on April 8, immediately after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen visited the US where she met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, for a meeting to which China strictly showed opposition.Taiwan Defence Ministry added in a statement, “70 PLA aircraft and 11 PLAN vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities.” He further said, “35 of the detected aircraft (SU-30*8, J-11*4, J-10*6, J-16*8, TB-001 UCAV, Y-9EW, Y-8 ASW, J-15*4, CH-4 UCAV, KJ-500 AEW&C) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwans southwest and southeast ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated.”The ministry further added, “45 of the detected aircraft (SU-30*8, J-11*4, J-10*16, J-16*10, TB-001 UCAV, Y-9EW, Y-8 ASW, H-6K*2, Y-20, KJ-500) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwans southwest ADIZ, flight paths as illustrated.”Taiwan also protested Chinas drills around Taiwan and said that the country would not yield to threats. Taiwan ministry, taking it to Twitter said, “#Taiwan is our homeland, and no matter where we go or what we encounter, she is always charming and beautiful. Every story on this land is etched in our memories. We, #ROCArmedForces, are fighting with all our heart to defend our homeland and to protect our home together.”The situation between both countries tensed after the US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi travelled to the country in August last year. Apart from this, Chain also raised objections to Pelosis visit to Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. This time, Taiwan retaliated by sending aircraft, naval boats, and land-based missiles to observe PLA planes and ships.US Statement on Chinas ActionChinese officials have been warned not to take advantage of President Tsais travel to the US and have been asked to exercise caution and maintain the status quo. The US was “closely monitoring Beijings actions,” according to a state department official, who also insisted that the US has “adequate resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to satisfy our national security responsibilities.”Although the US cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979 in favour of Beijing, it is nevertheless required by law to give Taiwan the tools to defend itself. Although American messaging has been ambiguous, US President Joe Biden has repeatedly stated that the US would interfere if China attacked the island.Japan, and China to discuss maritime concernsChinese government officials and Senior Japanese officials met on Monday to discuss the maritime concerns in disputed water in the East China Sea. The regular round of concerns on maritime began in 2012.Before the start of the negotiations, a senior Japanese government official stated that Japan had been continuously monitoring Chinas military exercises near Taiwan. Notably, in the meeting that happened in November 2022, Hong Liang, director-general of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs at Chinas Foreign Ministry criticised Tokyo for commenting on Chinas activity in Taiwan Strait, the waters that separate the island from the mainland.
