China’s military has sent more than seven sorties of aircraft and five ships operating around the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said.
On Saturday, mainland China’s military, officially known as the People’s Liberation Army, said seven aircraft sorties and five ships were spotted near the island in a 24-hour period.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, flies warplanes toward the self-ruled island on an almost daily basis.
When asked about the activity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning previously said there is no such thing as a “middle line” because the island of Taiwan, although self-governing, is officially recognized as part of Chinese territory.
CHINA FLIES MORE THAN 150 MILITARY PLANES TO TAIWAN AN ISLAND CONDEMNS MILITARY ‘INTERFERENCE’
A Chinese military aircraft flies over Pingtan Island, one of the closest points to mainland China from Taiwan, in Fujian Province on August 5, 2022. – Taiwan blasted its “evil next door neighbor” on August 5 after China surrounded the island with a series of massive military exercises condemned by the United States and other Western allies. (HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
Most of the international community, including the US, officially recognizes the “One China” policy, although President Biden said the US would respond if China invaded the island – a comment the White House later retracted.
CHINA DEPLOYS OVER 40 AIRCRAFT IN TAIWAN STRAIT, BUILDING FORCES AT COASTAL MILITARY BASES, TAIWAN WARNS
In recent months, China has continued its aggressive push to expand its influence across the Pacific, which includes major military exercises in the air and waters around Taiwan. The US is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and opposes any attempt to change Taiwan’s regime by force.
The People’s Liberation Army begins joint military operations around the island of Taiwan. China resolutely defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity. (People’s Liberation Army, China)
Taiwan and China were separated during a civil war in 1949 when the Communists took control of mainland China. The defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan and were allowed to establish their own government on the island.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Only a few foreign nations give the island official diplomatic recognition.
The Associated Press and Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
