The Ministry of National Defense yesterday said that Chinese warplanes and warships had carried out their first “combat patrol” of the new year, after President William Lai (賴清德) again expressed willingness to talk to Beijing.
China sends its military into the skies and waters near the nation on an almost daily basis, and holds what Taiwan calls “joint combat readiness patrols” several times a month.
The ministry said it had detected 22 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters, carrying out a “joint combat readiness patrol” around Taiwan in conjunction with Chinese warships starting yesterday morning.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
It said the Chinese aircraft flew in the airspace to the north, west, southwest and east of Taiwan, and that forces were dispatched to keep watch.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lai, in his New Year’s Day news conference, reiterated his desire for exchanges with China.
He has repeatedly called for talks, but has been rebuffed.
China’s Eastern Theatre Command on Wednesday released a New Year’s video on social media of warships, warplanes and what appeared to be a Chinese fighter jet flying near a P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft that the US sometimes sends through the Taiwan Strait.
The video, set to the song Chinese People (中國人) by Hong Kong pop star Andy Lau (劉德華), also included images of Chinese students visiting Taiwan late last year at the invitation of former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
Minister of Foreign Affiars Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) told reporters in Taipei yesterday that the video was yet more Chinese psychological warfare.
“It is the [Chinese] People’s Liberation Army showing its intimidation of Taiwan,” he said.
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