According to Taiwan's Defense Ministry, China sent more than 30 fighter jets and a group of naval ships to the island in 24 hours
January 27, 2024, 12:00 PM ET
• 2 min reading
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China has sent more than 30 fighter jets and a group of naval vessels to Taiwan, the island's defense ministry said Saturday.
The military pressure follows an announcement that senior American and Chinese officials are expected to meet in the Thai capital as the two countries seek to ease tensions.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army sent 33 aircraft, including SU-30 fighters, and six naval ships around Taiwan between 6 a.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday. Of these, 13 fighter jets crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait – an unofficial border that is considered a buffer between the island and the mainland. Taiwan has been monitoring the situation and deployed its own military forces in response to the activities.
China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has in recent years expressed its displeasure with political activity in Taiwan by sending military aircraft and ships. Taiwan said six Chinese balloons flew either over the island or through the airspace north of it, days after the self-governing island elected Lai Ching-te as its new president. During the election campaign, Lai's Democratic Progressive Party primarily campaigned for self-determination, social justice and rejection of China's threats.
United States national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi were both in Bangkok for talks, although it was not clear when the meeting would take place or whether it had already taken place.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of a summit in November to repair strained ties stemming from disputes over a range of economic and geopolitical issues. U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said the planned meeting in Bangkok was a continuation of the commitment made by Biden and Xi to “maintain strategic communications and responsibly manage the relationship.”
During the talks, Foreign Minister Wang will clearly state China's position on Taiwan and US-China relations and discuss international and regional concerns, ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Friday.
An immediate international concern for both countries is tensions in the Red Sea, which have upended global trade by forcing many shippers to avoid the Suez Canal. Beijing said it was making positive efforts to defuse the situation in which Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired missiles at international ships.