The Chinese Communist Party dispatched at least 74 military aircraft to harass Taiwan within two days
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) dispatched 50 military aircraft to harass Taiwan within 24 hours starting at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday (the 19th). Of these, 46 aircraft crossed the median line of the strait and entered the northern, southwestern, and eastern airspace. The Ministry of National Defense also detected six PLA warships. On Friday morning, the PLA dispatched another 24 fighter jets of various types to harass Taiwan.
The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the national military is maintaining close surveillance through joint intelligence surveillance and has dispatched mission aircraft, ships, and shore-based missile systems to respond. During a regular military meeting on Thursday, President Lai Ching-te instructed the Ministry of National Defense and national security teams to comprehensively strengthen monitoring of current regional security dynamics, enhance intelligence collection and analysis capabilities, and maintain close contact and coordination with allies to ensure a swift response to any emergencies and maintain regional peace and stability.
China's large-scale deployment of fighter jets and warships to harass Taiwan is suspected to be related to the recent passage of Japanese and British warships through the Taiwan Strait. However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun did not give a direct response at a regular press conference on Friday. He only said that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. China respects the navigation rights enjoyed by all countries in the relevant waters of the Taiwan Strait in accordance with the law, but "resolutely opposes any country provoking in the name of freedom of navigation and threatening China's sovereignty and security."
