Taiwan says 14 Chinese aircraft hovering over mainland in 'combat readiness patrol'

Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that on Wednesday, it saw 14 aircraft from the Chinese air force stationed on the mainland flying over the island and engaging in “joint combat readiness patrols” alongside PLA warships.

Beijing has routinely launched warships and aircraft into the airspace and seas surrounding the island over the previous four years in an effort to bolster its claims of sovereignty, which the Taipei government rejects.

Starting at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, the People’s Liberation Army was detected operating 14 aircraft, including drones and J-16 fighters, off the coast of northern and southwestern Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.

In order to conduct “joint combat readiness patrols” with PLA warships, nine of those aircraft flew over the median line of the Taiwan Strait or nearby areas, the ministry continued.

There was no immediate response from Beijing’s defence ministry. Mainland China is in the middle of its week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

Taiwan sent its own forces to monitor, its defence ministry said.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

The Taiwan Strait’s median line once served as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, but PLA planes now regularly fly over it. Beijing says it does not recognise the line’s existence.

The island last month elected Taiwanese Vice-President William Lai Ching-te as its next president, a man Beijing has describes as a dangerous “separatist”.

Lai, who takes office in May, has offered talks with Beijing, which have been rejected. He says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

With inputs from Reuters