Taiwan recently detected an increase in Chinese military activity near the island, highlighting tensions in the region following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China. This comes as Taiwan faces growing military pressure from China, which views the island as part of its territory, a claim that Taiwan's government firmly rejects. The sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, which was once an unofficial border where neither side's military crossed, has now been regularly trespassed by Chinese aircraft.
The Taiwan defense ministry reported that 22 Chinese military aircraft were detected, including Su-30 fighters, with 12 crossing the median line towards Taiwan's north and center. This incursion has led to concerns about China's increasing military assertiveness in the region. Taiwan's armed forces, though well-prepared, are notably outnumbered by China's military, especially in terms of naval and air power. Despite this, Taiwan's response to the Chinese military activity was described as appropriate by its defense ministry.
As tensions in the Taiwan Strait persist, China considers Taiwan a crucial issue in its relationship with the United States, emphasizing the importance of Washington ceasing weapons sales to Taiwan. Taiwan's President-elect, Lai Ching-te, who is set to take office in May, has faced opposition from Beijing, with China accusing him of being a separatist. Lai, like outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, asserts that only Taiwan's people should determine the island's future, calling for confidence in dialogue with Taiwan's elected government.