103 Chinese fighter planes entered Taiwan border

Taipei (IANS). China’s military dispatched 103 combat aircraft toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period, which the island’s Defense Ministry claimed on Monday was a new daily record in recent days.

The planes were detected between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, the ministry said. They turned back before reaching Taiwan.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has conducted large-scale military exercises in the air and water around Taiwan. The reason for this is the increasing tension between America and China. The US is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and opposes any attempts to change Taiwan’s status by force.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said 40 planes crossed the symbolic halfway point between mainland China and the island. It also reported nine naval vessels in the last 24 hours.

The ministry described the Chinese military action as “harassment” and warned that it could escalate the existing tense atmosphere. “We urge Beijing authorities to take responsibility and immediately stop such destructive military activities,” it said in a statement.

China last week sent a fleet of ships, including the aircraft carrier Shandong, into waters near Taiwan. The exercise came shortly after the US and Canada dispatched warships through the Taiwan Strait.

China’s recent actions may be an attempt to influence Taiwan’s presidential elections to be held in January. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party is opposed to the Chinese government. China favors opposition candidates who support working with the mainland.

Taiwan and China were divided in 1949 when the Communists occupied China during the civil war. The defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established their own government in the island.

This island is self-governing. However, only a few foreign nations give it official diplomatic recognition. Additionally, the United States maintains formal relations with China by maintaining a representative office in Taiwan.