In a recent statement, China’s defense ministry has warned Taiwan not to interfere with Chinese air force missions around the island, which Beijing claims are conducted within its own airspace. This follows a week of military maneuvers that have drawn complaints from Taipei.

Chinese Military Activities

China, which considers Taiwan as part of its territory despite objections from the democratically governed island, regularly operates warplanes and warships around Taiwan. Recently, Taiwan reported that China carried out ‘joint combat readiness patrols,’ releasing images of Chinese warships and fighter jets captured by Taiwanese aircraft.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China’s Defense Ministry, reiterated that Taiwan is part of China and urged the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces to avoid interference and provocation. He emphasized that Chinese military activities are conducted within Chinese airspace.

Tensions Over Sovereignty

China has labeled Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te as a ‘separatist’ and dismissed his calls for dialogue, maintaining that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future. Jiang stated that China’s military will continue to enhance its training and combat readiness to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Taipei remains vigilant for further Chinese actions, especially after discussions between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Taiwan. Additionally, Taiwan has reported the deployment of over 100 Chinese ships along the first island chain, extending from Japan to the Philippines.

Recent Maritime Incidents

Over the weekend, Taiwan’s coast guard encountered a Chinese coast guard ship near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands, located at the northern end of the South China Sea. This incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the region.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.