The Ministry of National Defense yesterday reported renewed Chinese military activity nearby with another “combat patrol,” as the government called on Beijing not to escalate tensions after the seizure of a Taiwanese fishing boat.
On Tuesday, China Coast Guard officials boarded and detained a Taiwanese fishing boat for illegally operating in its waters, in what the head of the National Security Bureau on Thursday said might be an act of psychological warfare.
The ministry said that starting just before 7am yesterday, it had detected 26 Chinese military aircraft, including J-16 fighters, carrying out a “joint combat readiness patrol” with Chinese warships.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
The Chinese aircraft flew into airspace to the north, center and southern part of Taiwan, the ministry said.
In the 24 hours ending at 6am yesterday, the ministry said it had detected 36 Chinese warplanes and six naval vessels operating around the nation.
The ministry said it had “monitored the situation and responded accordingly.”
At least 127 Chinese military aircraft operating nearby since the start of this month.
Speaking to reporters earlier yesterday, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said fishers should raise their alert level and not do anything that could be considered illegal.
“At the same time, I also want to ask the Chinese side not to escalate with any the use of any excessive measures, because this can easily cause tension and unnecessary confrontation which is extremely unnecessary,” he added.
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